The Alberta government announced it will be directing $10 million to the Ukrainian World Congress (UWC) for its Stand with Ukraine campaign. .“This will provide non-lethal supplies for the territorial defence forces, including individual first aid kits and medical supplies, sleeping bags and winter clothing, diesel generators, ambulances, and communications and operating expenses,” said Alberta Premier Jason Kenney at a Tuesday press conference. .“We’re very confident of our partnership with the Ukrainian World Congress and their Unite with Ukraine campaign.” .While provincial governments do not have a major role in international development and foreign policy, Kenney said there “have to be exceptions to every rule.”.He said Alberta’s relationship with Ukraine is an exception, which requires an exceptional response. .Kenney called the UWC “a decades-old, credible international organization.” He added the Alberta government is confident the funding will be put towards saving lives. .Ukrainians are in the war with Russia for the long haul, he said. Kenney will be speaking with fellow premiers in the coming days to encourage them to follow Alberta’s example. .This funding brings Alberta’s total contributions to Ukraine to $23 million. He said this amount is “a meaningful reflection of the depth of our commitment to the people of Ukraine.” .Kenney said Russia’s invasion of Ukraine shocked people. He said Russian President Vladimir Putin is being an authoritarian. .UWC president Paul Grod said he is pleased to accept this funding. .“We are grateful to Albertans who have generously opened their homes, their schools, and their businesses to Ukrainian refugees, some of whom are here today,” said Grod. .“You have heard from them their heart-wrenching stories of their experiences of the atrocities and mass destruction being committed by Russia’s army of criminals and marauders.” .At the start of Russia’s invasion with Ukraine, Grod said he received a call from Kenney. He asked how he could help, and within days contributed $10 million in foreign aid. .The premier went on to say he has supported Ukraine by signing a renewed friendship agreement with Ukrainian oblast Ivano-Frankivsk. Alberta and Ivano-Frankivsk signed the initial agreement to recognize each other as sister provinces in 2004. .Kenney said he expanded the agreement to include energy. He expressed Alberta’s solidarity to Ukraine to the officials on the call finalizing the agreement. .Kenney said Russia’s aggression is at a scale not seen since the Second World War. .“Alberta’s government has sought to do what we can to demonstrate concretely our solidarity with the people of Ukraine in defence of their sovereignty, their democracy, and their right to self-determination,” he said. .The Alberta government took additional action against Russia in April by terminating its relationships with three sister regions. .READ MORE: Alberta terminates relationship with three Russian regions.“Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is an outrageous act of aggression that's led to appalling war crimes, the death of thousands of civilians and the displacement of millions,” said Kenney. .“Putin’s campaign of terror cannot be tolerated and the entire civilized world must use every tool to stop it.”
