The committee studied Canada’s support for Ukraine amid the ongoing war with Russia, hearing from His Excellency Andrii Plakhotniuk, Ambassador of Ukraine to Canada.
Ambassador Plakhotniuk described a tense battlefield along a 1,250-kilometre front, with Russia having lost over 1,182,000 soldiers since February 2022 and deploying 710,000 troops on Ukrainian territory. He stressed that Ukraine needs a stable, timely supply of weapons and ammunition, with top priorities being 10 additional PATRIOT systems and missiles for air defence, as well as deep strike capabilities like Tomahawks and Storm Shadows. He noted that Russia launched nearly 44,000 guided aerial bombs in the first 11 months of 2025 and that over 50% of Ukraine’s energy capacity has been destroyed or damaged, with restoration costs estimated at $68 billion US. He recommended ramping up joint defence production with partners, inviting foreign companies to establish facilities in Ukraine, and expanding the Danish model of co-operation.
On training, the ambassador thanked Canada for Operation Unifier, which has trained over 46,000 Ukrainian military personnel, and called for its continuation, emphasizing that it saves lives and helps Ukraine master new defence materiel. He also highlighted the importance of the PURL initiative for procuring American-made air defence missiles and other equipment, and noted that Canada’s recent $200-million purchase of critical military capabilities under this initiative is vital for defending Ukraine’s sovereignty. He disagreed with any suggestion that Canada’s contributions are insufficient, stating that everything received changes the battlefield situation.
Regarding reconstruction, the ambassador cited World Bank estimates of over half a trillion US dollars in total costs and welcomed the appointment of Chrystia Freeland as Canada’s special envoy for Ukraine’s recovery. He noted that co-operation on critical minerals is a promising area, with a memorandum of understanding between Natural Resources Canada and Ukraine’s energy ministry, and that Quebec’s expertise in energy infrastructure could help, though technical specifications differ. He recommended financial support for European initiatives to buy energy equipment quickly, as Kyiv faces up to 16 hours of daily power outages.
On war crimes, the ambassador reported 287,216 civilian infrastructure facilities destroyed or damaged, and up to 20,000 Ukrainian children abducted to Russia, with Canada co-chairing the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children. He stated that Ukraine will not trade its territories, citing constitutional prohibitions, and is not ready for capitulation or peace at any price. He also noted that Russia continues to obtain spare parts for weapons production despite sanctions, and that cyber-attacks are a regular threat requiring intensified international co-operation.
On drone technology and joint production, the ambassador said Ukraine is ready to share battlefield knowledge with Canada and other partners, and that the technological race is constant, with both sides developing countermeasures. He recommended that Canada upgrade its drone technologies and explore producing in Ukraine for speed, as the war demands rapid innovation. He also addressed misinformation campaigns, stating that Russia aims to destroy unity through hybrid methods, and affirmed Ukraine’s commitment to anti-corruption, with investigations ongoing into state-owned companies.
The committee also debated Bill S-210, an act to designate a Ukrainian heritage month in Canada, during the meeting.
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