Question Period Note: SITUATION IN UKRAINE

• Canada and the Ukraine have deep and long-standing bilateral ties. Canada has provided strong support for Ukraine’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, independence, and reform efforts.
• The Government of Canada signed the Agreement on Security Cooperation between Canada and Ukraine with the Government of Ukraine in February 2024.
• Veterans Affairs Canada is responsible for two objectives in this agreement:
 sharing strategies, standards, frameworks, and best practices for supporting Veterans; and
 sharing expertise, evidence, and guidance in the implementation of programs and services for Veterans of war and family members.
• A subsequent Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on February 11, 2025, at the 2025 Invictus Games in Vancouver, BC to support these objectives.
• Work is underway to share strategies, frameworks, and best practices for Veterans of war and family members to the Ministry of Veterans Affairs of Ukraine.
• Veterans Affairs Canada provides services and benefits to Veterans who are injured or become ill while serving with the Canadian Armed Forces.
• Anyone who is injured or becomes ill as a result of circumstances unrelated to Canadian military service is not eligible for benefits.

In February 2022, Ukraine invited foreign nationals to join its military in response to the Russian invasion. Since this time, citizens of a number of countries, including Canada, have reportedly travelled to Ukraine to be part of the International Legion of Territorial Defence of Ukraine.

Canada’s Foreign Enlistment Act prohibits Canadians from enlisting in the military or navy of a foreign state at war with a friendly state. This means that in a conflict where Canada is neutral, Canadians cannot join the armed forces of a hostile party.

Global Affairs Canada continues to advise all Canadians against travel to Ukraine and Russia. As Global Affairs Canada’s ability to provide consular services in Ukraine is severely limited, Canadians cannot depend on the Government of Canada to assist Canadians in leaving Ukraine.

Anyone who is injured or becomes ill as a result of circumstances unrelated to service with the Canadian Armed Forces is not eligible for Veterans Affairs Canada benefits. This includes the current situation in Ukraine.

The Government of Canada has not provided services and benefits to Canadians who served in past conflicts where Canada was not a participant (i.e. Vietnam War, Spanish Civil War and American Civil War). Five Eyes Veterans Affairs’ partners have confirmed they are not providing benefits to citizens, including Veterans, who join the International Legion of Territorial Defence of Ukraine.

Any impacts on Veteran benefits and services will be assessed on a case by case basis as Veterans who travel to Ukraine come forward.

QUICK FACTS & FIGURES

Key Objectives Identified in the MoU
• VAC met with officials from the Ministry of Veterans Affairs of Ukraine in late October, during which the Ukrainian delegation shared information about their department, outlined their priorities, and identified areas where VAC could support them.
• A follow-up meeting is scheduled for December, during which VAC will determine the best approach to begin sharing best practices related to support for Veterans and their families with the Ukrainian Ministry.
Humanitarian and Casualty Overview
• Civilian casualties: As of June 2025, the UN reports at least 13,580 civilians killed and 34,115 wounded in Ukraine.
• Military losses: The UA Losses project (Ukraine) records 70,935 Ukrainian soldiers killed, with 64,995 missing and 6,087 captured. For Russian forces (excluding DPR/LPR), BBC and Mediazona document 124,832 confirmed killed up to August 2025.
Displacement & Population
• Pre-war population: Ukraine’s population has declined significantly, from around 44 million (2021) to an estimated 33 million in 2025.
• Refugees abroad: As of mid-2025, over 6.9 million Ukrainians are registered refugees globally, with large numbers in Germany (~1.2 million), Poland (~1 million), and the Czech Republic (~400,000).
• Internal displacement: Approximately 4 million people remain displaced within Ukraine.

Economic & Infrastructure Impact
• GDP contraction & recovery: Ukraine's GDP shrank by ~28.8% in 2022, then rebounded with a 5.3% growth in 2023, and a ~13% increase in GDP per capita.
• Economic damage: Estimates suggest total damage to Ukraine’s infrastructure and economy exceeds $700 billion (per Ukrainian PM) or $138 billion (KSE).
• Sector performance: In 2025, Ukraine’s economy is projected to grow around 2.5%, signaling gradual recovery.