Ukrainian general applauds Canadian defence minister for talking Ukraine victory
Defence Minister Bill Blair caught the attention of a Ukrainian general on Monday when he said allies are talking about what it will take to get to "victory for Ukraine" in the war with Russia.
Blair's comments differ from the government's long-standing promise to support Ukraine throughout the conflict, "for as long as it takes." That language has been used by G7 allies as well.
The minister was speaking at a Washington, D.C., event held by the Atlantic Council think tank, where he was asked about western support for the embattled country.
Blair responded that allies need to find ways to respond more quickly to Ukraine's urgent needs, and spoke about Canada's support for multinational groups that are working to procure ammunition and air-defence systems.
"I think there's also important discussions now taking place at NATO and in Europe, involving the United States and Canada, about what are the next steps and what additional things we can do to bring this to a peaceful resolution of victory for Ukraine," he said.
Ukraine's defence attaché in D.C., Maj.-Gen. Borys Kremenetskyi, came to the microphone a few minutes later and said it was the first time he heard talk of supporting Ukraine's victory "from this political level." He also asked Blair to clarify what a Ukrainian victory means.
Blair said he changed his own language on the issue "because 'as long as it takes' is not very hopeful or even aspirational."
"In my opinion, victory is strong, secure borders for Ukraine … victory is defeating Putin, obviously, and driving him out of Ukraine," he said.
Maria Popova, an associate professor of political science at McGill University, said there is "definitely a difference" between what Blair said and what the G7 allies have been saying.
"It's something that has been discussed a lot over the last two years, the difference between sort of helping Ukraine enough to stay in the fight, which is the implication of 'as long as it takes,' and helping Ukraine actually win," Popova said.
She said supporting Ukraine's victory requires more military aid than Western allies have provided so far under a policy of "escalation management" — trying to avoid giving Kyiv too much help because it might trigger Russia to escalate further.
"When they were preparing for the counteroffensive last summer, they didn't receive long-range missiles, they didn't receive F-16s, they had no air superiority," she said.
"You would need to do that if you wanted to support them to victory."
Asked about the shift in language, Blair's office said the government's policy remains the same. His office also noted that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has said similar things, including that "Ukraine must win this war."
Popova said rather than "split hairs on wording," she wants to see Canada step up its own support, noting that other countries — including Germany, the U.S., the U.K. and Denmark — are spending more.
Canada has been a staunch supporter of Ukraine and has advocated for the country's inclusion in the NATO alliance when the conflict ends.
The federal government has committed $4 billion in military assistance to Ukraine through 2029. That includes donating Leopard 2 tanks and ammunition from the Canadian Armed Forces stocks, and purchasing things like armoured vehicles and drones.
As Blair noted, some of that aid has been slow to move. Canada bought a $406-million surface-to-air missile system for Ukraine in January 2023, but it's not clear when that will arrive. It's being built in the United States and the U.S. government has not provided a timeline for its delivery.
The U.S., meanwhile, has set aside an estimated US$69.8 billion to support Ukraine's military since the full-scale invasion began in 2022.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 14, 2024.
IN DEPTH
'Not the result we wanted': Trudeau responds after surprise Conservative byelection win in Liberal stronghold
Conservative candidate Don Stewart winning the closely-watched Toronto-St. Paul's federal byelection, and delivering a stunning upset to Justin Trudeau's candidate Leslie Church in the long-time Liberal riding, has sent political shockwaves through both parties.
'We will go with the majority': Liberals slammed by opposition over proposal to delay next election
The federal Liberal government learned Friday it might have to retreat on a proposal within its electoral reform legislation to delay the next vote by one week, after all opposition parties came out to say they can't support it.
Budget 2024 prioritizes housing while taxing highest earners, deficit projected at $39.8B
In an effort to level the playing field for young people, in the 2024 federal budget, the government is targeting Canada's highest earners with new taxes in order to help offset billions in new spending to enhance the country's housing supply and social supports.
'One of the greatest': Former prime minister Brian Mulroney commemorated at state funeral
Prominent Canadians, political leaders, and family members remembered former prime minister and Progressive Conservative titan Brian Mulroney as an ambitious and compassionate nation-builder at his state funeral on Saturday.
Supports for passengers, farmers, artists: 7 bills from MPs and Senators to watch in 2024
When parliamentarians return to Ottawa in a few weeks to kick off the 2024 sitting, there are a few bills from MPs and senators that will be worth keeping an eye on, from a 'gutted' proposal to offer a carbon tax break to farmers, to an initiative aimed at improving Canada's DNA data bank.
Opinion
opinion Don Martin: Gusher of Liberal spending won't put out the fire in this dumpster
A Hail Mary rehash of the greatest hits from the Trudeau government’s three-week travelling pony-show, the 2024 federal budget takes aim at reversing the party’s popularity plunge in the under-40 set, writes political columnist Don Martin. But will it work before the next election?
opinion Don Martin: The doctor Trudeau dumped has a prescription for better health care
Political columnist Don Martin sat down with former federal health minister Jane Philpott, who's on a crusade to help fix Canada's broken health care system, and who declined to take any shots at the prime minister who dumped her from caucus.
opinion Don Martin: Trudeau's seeking shelter from the housing storm he helped create
While Justin Trudeau's recent housing announcements are generally drawing praise from experts, political columnist Don Martin argues there shouldn’t be any standing ovations for a prime minister who helped caused the problem in the first place.
opinion Don Martin: Poilievre has the field to himself as he races across the country to big crowds
It came to pass on Thursday evening that the confidentially predictable failure of the Official Opposition non-confidence motion went down with 204 Liberal, BQ and NDP nays to 116 Conservative yeas. But forcing Canada into a federal election campaign was never the point.
opinion Don Martin: How a beer break may have doomed the carbon tax hike
When the Liberal government chopped a planned beer excise tax hike to two per cent from 4.5 per cent and froze future increases until after the next election, says political columnist Don Martin, it almost guaranteed a similar carbon tax move in the offing.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Alice Munro's daughter says mom kept silent when stepfather sexually abused her
The youngest daughter of celebrated Canadian author Alice Munro has opened up about sexual abuse by her stepfather and the deep hurt she felt when her mother chose to support her husband instead of her child.
France election: Left-wing coalition wins most seats, beating far-right party
A coalition of the French left that quickly banded together to beat a surging far right in legislative elections won the most seats in parliament but not a majority, according to polling projections Sunday, a stunning outcome that threatens to plunge the country into political and economic turmoil.
Bus crashes into electrical pylon, causing massive power outage on the South Shore
Tens of thousands of households on Montreal's South Shore have been without electricity since Saturday night after a bus crashed into an electrical pylon.
Ottawa councillor, residents condemn arrival of 'hateful' group Diagolon 'Terror Tour'
A community group and an Ottawa city councillor have come forward to condemn the arrival of the far-right group Diagolon after it brought its 'Road Rage Terror Tour' to Ottawa over the weekend.
Planning a last-minute summer vacation? Here's how to save money
Summer is already in full swing, but there is still time to plan a vacation — and even save some money, while you're at it.
'Meltdown': A week later, WestJet continues to feel the fallout from mechanics strike
One week after it ended, WestJet continues to feel the effects of a mechanics strike that nearly shut down the airline's network for 29 hours.
ANALYSIS Why are Trudeau and Singh avoiding Stampede this year?
This year, only Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre will be saddling up for the event, while both Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and NDP leader Jagmeet Singh will stay away.
As Biden continues campaigning, some House Democrat leaders say he should step aside
Some leading congressional Democrats privately suggested it was time for U.S. President Joe Biden to abandon his reelection bid.
Woman dies at Rolling Stones concert in Vancouver
A woman attending the Rolling Stones concert at BC Place died Friday night, police confirmed.
Local Spotlight
'Incredible honour': Mick Jagger dines at famous Vancouver restaurant
A rock 'n' roll legend made an appearance at a popular Vancouver restaurant over the weekend.
Escaped inmate found south of Edmonton 1 month later
A convict who escaped an Edmonton correctional service more than a month ago has been caught.
Ottawa woman, 49, wins $70 million, plans to help community
An Ottawa woman, who has survived cancer and has overcome addiction, has won $70 million with Lotto Max.
Calgarians allowed to water by hand, some pools open as city eases outdoor restrictions
Calgary is easing outdoor water restrictions as the city continues work to help its water infrastructure recover following a major feeder main break.
Giant tortoise walking along B.C. sidewalks inspires tourist from Australia
Adam finds out how a giant tortoise walking along a sidewalk is inspiring a woman visiting from Australia.
WWE superstar surprises Guelph, Ont. fan who didn’t have accessible seat
A wrestling fan from Guelph, Ont. thought he was down for the count after winning tickets to a “once-in-a-lifetime” WWE event in Toronto.
This pet chicken from B.C. is now a Guinness World Record holder
Lacey may look like just another pet chicken on Emily Carrington’s B.C. property. But she has a title her coop mates don’t: Guinness World Record holder.
Vancouver's 'Phil Wizard' first-ever breaker named to Canada's Olympic team
Philip Kim, who competes as "B-Boy Phil Wizard," is set to make Canadian sports history this summer as the country's first-ever Olympic breaking athlete.
New documentary explores the increased number of white shark observations
A new documentary filmed in Nova Scotia by marine biologist and veterinarian Dr. Chris Harvey Clark explores the increased number of white shark observations in Canadian waters.