Ukraine seeks Canada’s help in selling peace plan to skeptical states, more demining
By The Canadian Press on August 24, 2023.
OTTAWA – Ukraine is calling on Canada to help it sell a peace plan with Russia to developing countries who have taken a neutral stance on Moscow’s invasion. Ukrainian Foreign Affairs Minister Dmytro Kuleba wants Canada to use its “diplomatic muscle” to encourage countries beyond Europe and its allies to support a peace plan. In a video presented at a closed-door meeting of foreign ambassadors, to which The Canadian Press was invited, Kuleba also asks Ottawa to increase its anti-mining support. In addition, Kuleba seeks “a multi-year military support program” from Ottawa, one month after Canada and other G7 countries offered Ukraine a set of security guarantees. Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly convened the meeting, and told foreign diplomats that Moscow’s demand for a ceasefire will only allow Russia to invade the country again. Joly says every country has a stake in maintaining the United Nations charter and ending Russia’s war, which has sent food costs spiralling. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 24, 2023. 8-7
