Canada will provide a USD 500-million loan and USD 7.8 million worth of lethal equipment and ammunition to Ukraine as the threat of a Russian invasion grows, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said, writes ctvnews.ca.

He said the pledge is on top of a previously announced USD 120-million loan and non-lethal weapons that Canada has already provided to Ukraine.

The prime minister said he spoke on Saturday with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to reaffirm Canada"s support as Russian troops stalk Ukraine"s eastern border.

Trudeau also spoke with other European leaders over the weekend as worries of war in the region grow.

The prime minister said the lethal weapons and ammunition are in response to a specific request from Ukraine, which has already received arms from the United States, United Kingdom, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, the Netherlands, and Poland.

Trudeau said the goal of the support is to deter further Russian aggression.

“The situation is intensifying rapidly and we are showing our resolve”, - Trudeau told a news conference on Parliament Hill.

“It’s important for Canadians and the world to know that Canada will continue supporting Ukraine and its independence, integrity (and) sovereignty, including its right to defend itself”.