Canada-Ukraine relations
Canada and the Russian invasion of Ukraine
Learn about Canada’s response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
On this page
- Bilateral relations
- Trade relations
- Canada’s multifaceted response to Russia’s aggression against Ukraine
- Sanctions
- Development and humanitarian assistance
- Defence support and military cooperation
- Partnerships and organizations
Bilateral relations
Canada is represented in Ukraine by the Embassy of Canada to Ukraine, in Kyiv. Ukraine is represented in Canada by an embassy in Ottawa, and consulates general in Toronto and Edmonton.
On December 2, 1991, Canada became the first Western country to recognize Ukraine’s independence. Since then, Canada and Ukraine have maintained a close bilateral relationship. Our bilateral relationship is strengthened by strong people-to-people ties, rooted in the Ukrainian‑Canadian community of approximately 1.3 million people, one of the largest Ukrainian diasporas in the world.
Since 1991, Canada has been one of Ukraine’s leading bilateral development assistance partners.
Trade relations
In 2024, Canada’s merchandise exports to Ukraine totaled $487.6 million, and merchandise imports from Ukraine totaled $295.5 million. The top three exports to Ukraine were armored fighting vehicles and parts, unmanned aircrafts, and firearm parts and accessories. Canada’s top imports from Ukraine were natural uranium, sunflower seeds and oils, and apple juice. In 2024, the stock of Canadian direct investment in Ukraine stood at $93 million (total book value).
Building on achievements of the 2017 Canada-Ukraine Free Trade Agreement (CUFTA), the modernized Canada-Ukraine Free Trade Agreement entered into force on July 1, 2024.
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has brought significant disruptions to international trade. Canadian companies have been forced to adapt and mitigate risks in response to the added strain of this conflict on international supply chains and global investment. The Embassy of Canada to Ukraine has a team of Trade Commissioners to assist in navigating the local market.
Related links
- About the Canada-Ukraine Free Trade Agreement (CUFTA)
- Trade and investment agreements
- Export and import controls
- Doing business in Ukraine
Canada’s multifaceted response to Russia’s aggression against Ukraine
Since Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine and annexation of Crimea in 2014 and its full-scale invasion in 2022, Canada has stood firmly with the people of Ukraine.
Canada has committed almost $22 billion in economic, military, humanitarian, development, security, stabilization, and immigration assistance to support Ukraine and its people since 2022.
Canada remains steadfast in its support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity in the face of Russia’s illegal and unjustifiable war.
Related links
Sanctions
In coordination with international partners, Canada has sanctioned more than 3,300 individuals and entities since 2014, and more than 300 Russia’s shadow fleet vessels. These sanctions target those who are complicit in the violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as those involved in gross and systematic human rights violations.
Development and humanitarian assistance
In response to Russia’s full-scale invasion, Canada is supporting Ukraine’s immediate recovery and reconstruction needs while advancing long-term reforms and resilience. Since 2022, Canada has committed approximately $702 million in recovery and reconstruction support including development assistance in response to Ukraine’s emerging needs. This includes $216.7 million for a capital increase to the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) for Ukraine reconstruction and $115 million for repairs of Kyiv’s power grid financed though tariff revenues collected on imports from Russia and Belarus. To respond to the humanitarian impacts of Russia’s invasion in Ukraine and in neighbouring countries, Canada has committed $396.85 million in humanitarian assistance.
Related links
- Economic, humanitarian and development assistance, and security and stabilization support – Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
- Project Browser
- The Canada Fund for Local Initiatives
Peace and security programs
Since 2022 Canada has committed nearly $230 million for Ukraine through the Peace and Stabilization Operations Program (PSOP), Weapons Threat Reduction Program (WTRP) and the Anti-Crime Capacity Building Program (ACCBP).
Related link
Defence support and military cooperation
Since February 2022, Canada has committed over $6.5 billion in military assistance to Ukraine and signed the Agreement on Security Cooperation between Canada and Ukraine (February 2024). Following Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea in 2014, Canada established Operation (Op) UNIFIER – Canada’s military mission to support Ukraine. Since 2015 and at Ukraine’s government request, the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) have trained more than 46,000 Security Forces of Ukraine (SFU) personnel through Op UNIFIER, over 12,000 of whom have been trained in various locations across Europe since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Additionally, more than 3,400 Ukrainian military personnel have received training through Canada’s Military Training and Cooperation Program (MTCP) since 1993.
Through the NATO-Ukraine Council (NUC), Canada and its Allies engage Ukraine on security issues of common concern, including Russia’s war against Ukraine.
Related links
- Canadian donations and military support to Ukraine
- Agreement on security cooperation between Canada and Ukraine
- Operation UNIFIER
Canadian Police Mission in Ukraine
Since March 2015, Canada has deployed Canadian civilian police officers to Ukraine through the International Police Peacekeeping and Peace Operations Program, which is jointly managed by GAC, the RCMP and Public Safety Canada. The program supports Ukrainian police reform through the Canadian Police Mission in Ukraine (CPMU), a bilateral Canada-Ukraine mission.
All Canadian officers were evacuated to Poland in February 2022. The current contingent does frequent trips into Ukraine to provide training on tactical first aid and a Police Safety Instructor Course (PSIC) training focused on use of force.
Women, peace and security
Aligned with Foundations for Peace: Canada’s National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security (WPS), Canada implements the WPS agenda throughout its support for Ukraine. Canada has supported Ukraine’s second National Action Plan on WPS and works alongside Ukrainian partners to increase the participation of women in the security sector and respond to the impacts of the conflict on women, including conflict-related sexual violence.
Partnerships and organizations
To develop effective responses to today’s most pressing global challenges, Canada and Ukraine work in multilateral forums, such as:
- La Francophonie
- International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)
- North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)
- Open Government Partnership (OGP)
- Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE)
- International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
- Pacific Alliance
- United Nations (UN)
- United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
- World Trade Organization (WTO)
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