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But when asked if Canada had done enough, given the Conservative government’s vocal pledges to stand with Ukraine in the face of what it calls Russian aggression, Marko said: “Canada can do more, and we will appreciate anything more, any kind of assistance.”

Photo by Bruno Schlumberger / Ottawa Citizen

Marko, who has headed Ukraine’s embassy in Ottawa since ambassador Vadym Prystaiko returned to Kyiv in November, would not specify what kind of help Ukraine wants from Canada. But his comments came amid a renewed international debate about giving Ukraine weapons.

Ukrainian government and separatist forces agreed to a ceasefire in September after months of fierce fighting in the east of the country. But the deal unravelled last month, and the Kremlin-backed rebels have made significant gains, pushing Ukrainian government forces back in key areas.

An estimated 5,400 people have been killed since the conflict began, many of them civilians.

The Ukrainian government has complained that its forces are outgunned by the separatists, who have deployed advanced Russian weaponry such as rocket launchers and tanks. NATO and Ukraine say Russian soldiers are also fighting in Ukraine.

While the Kremlin denies arming the rebels or sending troops across the border, reports indicate U.S. President Barack Obama is now considering whether to reverse his earlier decision and begin sending the Ukrainian military “lethal” assistance.

Still, there are fears that if Western countries do begin arming the Ukrainians, it will escalate the fighting and provoke a strong Russian reaction in Ukraine and other parts of eastern Europe. Others say the only way to end the conflict is through a negotiated settlement.