The Canadian Government has announced it will donate seven electrical transformers to help repair Ukraine’s battered electrical grid.
According to CTVNews, the announcement came as European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen visited Canada with a focus on clean energy, trade and support for Ukraine.
The transformers will be delivered through the EU’s Civil Protection Mechanism, a joint response group that helps to co-ordinate disaster response in the region.
Related article: Times says pro-Ukraine group behind Nord Stream sabotage
“I very much welcome your intention to deliver generators to Ukraine, very much needed in these times, where Putin is strategically destroying the energy infrastructure and civil infrastructure in Ukraine,” von der Leyen told Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
The transformers are part of a multifaceted support package for Ukraine to help address critical energy needs as the country continues to defend itself in the second year of Russia’s invasion.
“As Ukrainians continue to contend with the effects of Russia’s full-scale invasion, we reiterate our message to Ukraine and its people: Canada is with you. Our support will not relent,” Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly said.
“Ukrainians are not alone in the fight for their homeland. Canada will always support democracy, sovereignty and human rights. Canada will always support Ukraine,” Joly also said.
President von der Leyen is also asking Canada to export more clean hydrogen to Europe, as the block of countries tries to wean itself off Russian gas.
“It is an extraordinary journey that we have undertaken during the last year,” von der Leyen said.
“We have immediately diversified away form Russia to like-minded, trusted partners,” von der Leyen said, listing as examples US liquefied natural gas (LNG) and Norway’s pipeline gas.
Related article: Ukraine rationing electricity and water after Russian strikes
The European Commission president said Canada has “helped a lot” as well, by increasing its LNG production.
“We do not have the necessary infrastructure to link Canada directly with the European Union, but the increased production of LNG here in Canada helped the global market to supply enough LNG to those who needed it,” she said.
“So it was a very difficult journey, but in the very end, thanks to our friends and partners, we were able to come out stronger than we started last year.”
