While some voices argue that it is not in Canada’s self-interest to militarily support Ukraine in its fight against Russia, a Kyiv victory could prove invaluable to our national security. The Russians are keen on dominating the Arctic, where Canada is weak, so their defeat in Eastern Europe would buy us valuable time to strengthen our northern defences.

Until recently, Canada’s territorial integrity seemed utterly secure. Bounded by vast oceans to the west and east, and a friendly superpower to the south, we have historically faced few, if any, serious threats to our national defence.