Canada to send artillery ammunition to Ukraine

OTTAWA - Defence Minister Anita Anand says Canada is shipping 20,000 rounds of artillery ammunition to Ukraine.

"Sovereign nations cannot be erased from the map and the Ukrainian people's basic right to independence and self-determination cannot be undermined without consequence," says Defence Minister Anita Anand as Canada announces contribution of 20,000 rounds of artillery for Ukraine. pic.twitter.com/djGxgI0hrx

— CPAC (@CPAC_TV) May 24, 2022

Anand says the ammunition is "exactly" what Ukraine's government asked for from its allies.

She says the rounds are the standard NATO artillery calibre and compatible with the artillery guns provided to Ukraine by Canada and other countries.

In April, Canada shipped four M777 howitzers to Ukraine, part of more than $130 million in military equipment Canada has donated since Russia launched its unprovoked attack in Ukraine in February.

The new ammunition comes with a price tag of $98 million, drawn from the $500 million in military aid Canada budgeted for Ukraine this year.

Anand says Russian President Vladimir Putin cannot simply remake borders to his own liking and Canada will continue to stand with Ukraine.