The Prime Minister said that, as a middle power, Canada understands how important it is to protect the rules-based international order

Summary

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau opposed any deal letting Russia keep Ukrainian land, saying it would encourage other countries to break international rules.

Speaking to a NATO meeting, he highlighted Canada’s $19.5 billion aid to Ukraine and stressed the need to defend global stability.

Trudeau defended his plan to raise military spending to 2% of GDP by 2032 after criticism of Canada’s low defense funding.

He warned against isolating Ukraine, saying continued support is crucial to stop further global conflicts.

  • etuomaala@sopuli.xyzEnglish
    1·
    22 days ago

    Finland has a pretty absurdly strong military. It really is a waste of money. But it has this military because it shares a border with Russia. If Finland did not have such a military, it would be invaded. That is what empires do. Finland’s military does not start war; it prevents it.

    Ideally, neither side would have to waste money on this military, but until Russia gives up theirs, Finland can’t give up theirs either. Good luck convincing Russia to do that.

    Not long ago, I would have been in total agreement with you. The very idea of stealing land through invasion was so antiquated to me that I did not believe even Russia would do it until the moment their troops crossed the Ukrainian border. Now, I reluctantly am forced to conclude that not only is Russia that backward, it probably always was, and the only reason Finland has been safe all these years is because of the military that I thought was so absurd.

    • index@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
      1·
      22 days ago

      If Finland did not have such a military, it would be invaded.

      That’s a speculation you are making, russia spend 20 times as much as finland does in war they wouldn’t have much problems invading finland if it was all about military strength.

      That is what empires do

      That’s true USA does the same.

      Ideally, neither side would have to waste money on this military, but until Russia gives up theirs, Finland can’t give up theirs either.

      While finland spend less than russia NATO combined spend 20 times as much as russia does in war. Do you see where your logic leads? To match USA alone russia would have to tenfold their military budget.

      • etuomaala@sopuli.xyzEnglish
        1·
        7 days ago

        Sure Russia could beat Finland in an invasion, eventually, but due to Finland’s army, it would be far more trouble than it’s worth. And let’s leave the USA out of this.

        Buuuut for as long as we’re not leaving the USA out of this, it is worth pointing out that Mexico and Canada do not live in constant fear of being invaded. Finland does, and this fear of invasion is very rational.