Canada authorizes export of automatic weapons to Ukraine
Ottawa, (MILLAT ONLINE):Canada on Wednesday authorized the export of automatic weapons to Ukraine, citing its “steadfast” support for the security and sovereignty of a country engaged in a conflict with pro-Russian separatists.
Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland, who is of Ukrainian descent through her mother, “announced that Canada will include Ukraine in the Automatic Firearms Country Control List (AFCCL),” the government said in its official newspaper.
The change “will enable Canadian companies and individuals to apply for a permit to export certain prohibited firearms, weapons and devices to Ukraine.”
Eastern Ukraine has been plagued since April 2014 by a conflict between government forces and pro-Russian separatists that has claimed more than 10,000 lives.
Kiev and Western countries accuse Russia of militarily supporting the rebels, a charge Moscow denies.
“Each permit application will be assessed on a case-by-case basis to ensure its consistency with Canada’s international obligations and foreign policy and defense priorities,” the government said.