Ukrainian, Canadian foreign ministers discuss steps to deter Russia

"Dmytro Kuleba and Melanie Joly have discussed steps to deter Russia from a new wave of aggression in Europe, including the implementation of a painful comprehensive deterrence package for Moscow, which includes political, economic and security measures," the statement said.

It notes that during their phone call, Joly said Russia's demands for guarantees that Ukraine will never be allowed to join NATO were unacceptable. Joly reaffirmed Canada's unwavering support for Ukraine amid Russian threats and a build-up of Russian troops along the state border and in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine.

Kuleba thanked his colleague for Canada's efforts to consolidate the international response to Russia's aggressive actions.

A separate topic of the conversation was the development of bilateral cooperation in the fields of security and defense, the statement said.

Both ministers also agreed to intensify cooperation to bring Iran to account for the downing of flight PS752 and to establish justice in this tragedy, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said.

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