Anand meets with Ukraine's defence minister as country braces for possible invasion

Defence Minister Anita Anandgot an updated assessment of Ukraine's military needs during a meeting with the embattled country's defence minister Monday.

And while neither Ukraine nor the federal government is saying exactlywhat Oleksii Reznikov asked of Canada over and above the package of non-lethal equipment promised by Ottawa last week there was an airof urgency to their in-person meetingas western nations and the Ukrainian government continue to disagree publicly over whether Russian military action is imminent.

Global Affairs Canada announced Sunday it was pulling all non-essential staff out of the Canadian embassy in Kyiv.

In Kyiv Monday for a whirlwind diplomatic visit,Anand would not saywhat prompted the further evacuation. Some families of Canadian diplomats were pulled out of Ukraine last week.

Ukraine continues to ask the international community for defensive weapons.

The United States last week delivered 79 tons of security aid to Ukraine the third such package to arrive in recent weeks. The first batch of equipment, which arrived on January 22, included 90 tons of lethal weapons and ammunition.

"Ukraine needs defence weapons to strengthen its ability to resist external aggression and deter Russia from power gambling," said a summary statement released by Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelensky's office. "Thus, increasing Ukraine's military force strengthens its negotiating position and reduces the risks of further military escalation."

Canada's promised aid package some of which has arrived in Ukraine alreadyincludesnon-lethal equipment and an expansion and extension of the military training mission.

Anand said she has placed no restrictions on what Ukrainecan ask of Canada and weapons shipments arestill an option.

Ukraine appears to have given hera clear assessment of its needs. Anandsaid she needs to take that list back to cabinet.

"It would be prudent in light of the very intense and sensitive security situation at the current time to discuss that first with my counterparts in cabinet and with the prime minister," Anand said.

Ukraine already has a healthy arms industry with sales that topped$1.3 billion (US) last year a 24 per cent increase in one year. But defence experts saythe country does not possess high-end military equipment and needs anti-aircraft weapons.

WATCH: Defence minister visits Ukraine

Defence minister visits Ukraine amid preparations for possible Russian invasion

3 years ago

Duration 2:03

Defence Minister Anita Anand arrived in Ukraine for a two-day visit of support as warnings of a possible Russian attack continue, but Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is urging his allies to avoid panicking his people.

Anand said that, whileshe couldn't get into specifics,she and Reznikov "discussed cyber security in particular and how important it is to make sure cyber networks are secure."

The Ukrainian government was hit by a massive cyber attack recently. Canada's currentaid package includes a promise to share with Ukraine the expertise of the Communications Security Establishment (CSE), Canada's signals intelligence andcybersecurity agency.

Global Affairs Canada also was hit by a massive cyber attack a week ago, whileForeign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly was conducting a round of diplomacy in Ukraine. Federal officials have not pointed the finger at Russiaor at Moscow-backed private hackers.

Anand, who is the minister responsible for CSE, wasn't prepared to assign blame when asked about it Monday, saying only that she remainsconcerned about Canada's cyber defences.

WATCH: Defence Minister on sanctions against Russia

Russia has a choice: Negotiate or face sanctions, Canadian defence minister says

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Duration 0:36

Canadian Defence Minister Anita Anand arrived in Ukraine on Sunday and echoed the warnings of western allies about the looming threat of a Russian invasion.