By Staff The Canadian Press Posted March 27, 2022 3:47 pm Updated March 27, 2022 3:49 pm 6:24Canadians must face up to ‘very high’ cost of conflict with Russia: UN ambassador WATCH: Canadians must face up to ‘very high’ cost of conflict with Russia: UN ambassador The International Committee of the Red Cross is asking Canada not to mix promises of humanitarian aid with announcements about military support and sanctions when it comes to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.ICRC director of operations Dominik Stillhart says he understands the government wants to show its support for Ukrainians in their time of need.But he says lumping promises of humanitarian assistance with military support for Ukraine and sanctions against Russia threatens the neutrality that aid groups require to safely operate there and elsewhere. 9:28Ukraine invasion ‘not going well’ for Putin: fmr. US NATO ambassador Ukraine invasion ‘not going well’ for Putin: fmr. US NATO ambassador While Stillhart did not identify any specific examples, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Thursday announced $50 million in additional humanitarian assistance for Ukraine while also levying new sanctions against dozens of Russian officials. Trending Stories Story continues below advertisement Stillhart says the ICRC has also seen some questions from Canada’s Ukrainian diaspora after Red Cross president Peter Maurer visited Moscow last week.But Stillhart says the visit, which followed a similar stop in Kyiv, was aimed at ensuring humanitarian aid is able to reach those in Ukraine who need it, and to try to co-ordinate evacuation routes for civilians trapped in Mariupol and other cities.This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 27, 2022. © 2022 The Canadian Press
Comments