Manitoba has declared a state of emergency due to unprecedented wildfires forcing the evacuation of 17,000 people, prompting a request for military assistance from Prime Minister Carney. The city of Flin Flon, with 5,000 residents, was completely evacuated, highlighting the scale of the crisis. The fires, exacerbated by grounded water bombers due to drone interference, have already caused one serious injury and significantly exceed the province’s average wildfire count for this time of year. Assistance from across Canada is being provided to combat the 22 active blazes.
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Following a London summit, Ursula von der Leyen urged the EU to significantly increase defense spending and provide Ukraine with comprehensive security guarantees to deter future Russian aggression. This involves bolstering Ukraine’s military capabilities and ensuring its economic survival, alongside a substantial EU-wide rearmament effort. A new EU plan, to be presented on March 6th, will detail how to achieve this through increased public financing, EU funds, and European Investment Bank involvement. This push for stronger defense is a direct response to Russia’s invasion and recent diplomatic tensions.
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In 2025, Denmark and Norway will collectively invest €178 million in Ukrainian arms, expanding on a successful model of direct purchases from Ukrainian manufacturers. This follows almost €538 million in previous arms purchases funded by a combination of frozen Russian assets, and contributions from Denmark, Sweden, and Iceland. Denmark, the originator of this “Danish model,” has committed substantial further investment, including joint production of weapons systems. This initiative marks a significant expansion of international support for Ukraine’s defense industry, with Lithuania also now participating.
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John Q. Hosedrinker