Thank you very much, and thank you very much, Deputy Prime Minister, for being with us here today.
As we all know, over two months ago, Russia began a full-scale, further invasion of Ukraine. We know that the Ukrainians have been outmanned and outgunned. Despite that, they've shown great courage in defending their homeland. I think that courage has inspired Canadians and people around the world.
Notwithstanding that courage and resolve, the situation in Ukraine is, of course, dire. This is an existential issue for the Ukrainian people. It's a humanitarian disaster, with Russia committing war crimes every day, and committing genocide, in my opinion. It's a threat not only to Ukraine's security but to global and Canadian security.
Ukrainians are not just fighting for themselves—for their own freedom and homeland—but for all of us, and we need to fight for them. You, Deputy Prime Minister, have been helping to lead that fight. Some of that has been in public. Much of that has been behind the scenes, as it is for ministers and MPs in our democracy. I want to thank you for your leadership on this issue. Dyakuyu.
My first question for you is regarding the fact that you allocated $500 million in funding for military aid to Ukraine and $1 billion in loans to Ukraine in the budget. I want to thank you for that. President Zelenskyy indicated that Ukraine urgently needs heavy weapons.
Could you tell us how soon the $500 million in funding could be deployed?