Canada's Defence Minister: Russia Actively Funding Terrorist Organisations to Spread Its Influence Worldwide

The Russian leadership is actively funding terrorist organisations in an attempt to spread its influence around the world. This was stated by Canadian Defence Minister Bill Blair during his participation in the International Security Forum in Halifax, Ukrinform reports.

‘As we know, Russia is consolidating its international dominance in the world through cyber intrusions, global disinformation campaigns, financing of armed groups and terrorist organisations,’ Blair said.

He stressed that ‘these actions threaten not only North America and NATO, but also challenge NATO, all our allies and our interests in the world’. ‘Russia's threats to collective security go far beyond its aggression against Ukraine. Russia remains capable of directing its air, sea and missile forces against Europe and the Arctic, and of threatening North America,’ the minister said.

Blair added that Russia's aggressive actions have significantly strengthened the unity of NATO allies. ‘We are firmly united in our resolve. We are learning to cooperate and responding together to the need to do more and work together. I am convinced that Putin's intention in 2022 was to weaken us, but he has failed. He only deepened our resolve to defend Ukraine and work together,’ the minister added.

As The Gaze previously reported, the Canadian government will send Ukraine the first NASAMS air defence system.