Ukraine's ambassador slams Canada for Airbus sanctions waiver on critical Russian mineral

Canada's decision to grant European defence contractor Airbus a sanctions waiver on the use of Russian titanium in its equipment has drawn a sharp, emotional response from Ukraine's ambassador.

Appearing on CBC's, Yuliya Kovaliv held up a photo of the aftermath of a Russian Kalibr missile strike two years ago where a child was killed, which shows emergency crews in the background of an overturned stroller, saying the critical mineral is used in the manufacturing of not only the supersonic rocket but other major warplanes.

Allowing western companies to continue to use Russian titanium is only feeding the Kremlin's war machine, she said.

«It's very disturbing,» Kovaliv said Wednesday, adding she had reached out to Global Affairs Canada for an explanation but had not yet received one.

No one in the Canadian government was immediately available to comment.

Reuters first reported that Canada had granted the waiver and quoted the company as saying, «Airbus is aware of the Canadian government imposing sanctions on [the Russian company VSMPO-AVISMA] and has obtained the necessary authorization to secure Airbus operations in compliance with the applicable sanctions.»

Airbus operates manufacturing facilities in Ontario and Quebec.

The sanctions on Russian titanium, which because of its light weight and strength is used in the manufacturing of aircraft engines, were introduced in February. Canada was the first western nation to target Moscow's export of the critical mineral.

As much as $13 billion US was added to Moscow's war chest by the export of minerals, such as titanium.

That's more than the combined military and economic support Canada has given to Ukraine since the full-scale invasion began two years ago, Kovaliv