Peter Zimonjic

The federal government says it will match Canadians' donations to the Red Cross in aid of Ukraine, up to a maximum of $10 million.

The policy&nbsp;was announced by the federal government on Friday. It applies to all donations under $100,000 to the Canadian Red Cross&nbsp;Ukraine Humanitarian Crisis Appeal made between Feb. 24 and March 18.

"The humanitarian crisis unfolding in Ukraine requires all of us to come together," said International Development Minister Harjit Sajjan&nbsp;in a media statement. "We know we have more to do to support people affected by the conflict in Ukraine."

The federal government said the matching donations are in addition to the $50 million in funding given to Ukraine for development and humanitarian aid, and the recently announced $620 million in sovereign loans that Canada has extended to Ukraine.

The Canadian Red Cross says the donated money will be used to support immediate relief efforts in Ukraine, long-term recovery efforts and emergency preparedness.

Sanctions may work with time — but right now, Ukraine is on its own

Having made it clear that they would not come to Ukraine's aid militarily, western allies were left with no options apart from sanctions. But sanctions take time to work — and time is a resource Ukraine doesn't have.

Ukrainian soldiers take positions in downtown Kyiv, Ukraine, Friday, Feb. 25, 2022. Russia pressed its invasion of Ukraine to the outskirts of the capital Friday after unleashing airstrikes on cities and military bases and sending in troops and tanks from three sides in an attack that could rewrite the global post-Cold War security order. 

APTOPIX Ukraine Invasion

NATO sending part of response force to shore up European allies threatened by invasion of Ukraine

NATO leaders agreed Friday to send parts of its 40,000-troop response force to Eastern Europe to help protect allies who feel threatened by Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg convenes NATO leaders, both in person and on screen, for a virtual summit at NATO headquarters in Brussels, Friday, Feb. 25, 2022. U.S. President Joe Biden and his NATO counterparts will seek Friday to reassure member countries on the alliance's eastern flank that their security is guaranteed as Russia's large-scale invasion of Ukraine closes in on the capital Kyiv.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg convenes virtual summit of NATO leaders

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg convenes NATO leaders, both in person and on screen, for a virtual summit at NATO headquarters in Brussels on Friday.

Trudeau announces sanctions on Putin, calls for Russia's removal from SWIFT banking system

Canada will impose sanctions directly on Russian President Vladimir Putin and his inner circle of advisers, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Friday afternoon.

Russian President Vladimir Putin addressees the nation in Moscow, warneding other countries that any attempt to interfere would lead to 'consequences you have never seen.'

Ukraine Tensions

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Canada is set to impose direct sanctions on Russian President Vladimir Putin and his inner circle. Canada is also among a group of countries that wants Russia removed from the SWIFT global banking network.

Canada set to impose sanctions on Putin, wants Russia removed from SWIFT bank network

"Money raised will enable the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement to respond to humanitarian needs generated by almost eight years of conflict, as well as preparedness and response efforts due to heightened tensions in Ukraine," says a statement on the Canadian Red Cross&nbsp;website.

Canadians who want to donate to the Ukraine Humanitarian Crisis Appeal 

The announcement came as Russia vetoed a UN Security Council resolution calling on Moscow to stop its attack on&nbsp;Ukraine and withdraw all its troops immediately.

The veto was expected&nbsp;but the United States and its supporters argued that the effort would highlight Moscow's international isolation.

The 11-1 vote — with China, India and the United Arab Emirates abstaining — showed significant but not total opposition to Russia's invasion of its smaller, militarily weaker neighbour.&nbsp;

The resolution's failure paves the way for backers to call for a swift vote on a similar measure in the 193-member UN General Assembly, where there are no vetoes. There's no word yet on when an assembly vote might happen.

Unlike Security Council resolutions, General Assembly resolutions aren't legally binding,&nbsp;but&nbsp;they can function as statements of world opinion.

A damaged car is seen through a hole in a wrecked apartment building following a rocket attack on the city of Mariupol, Ukraine on Friday.

Federal government says it will match donations to Red Cross Ukraine campaign

Russia vetoes UN vote

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