Foreign Affairs Minister Rob Nicholson said Canada stands with Ukraine in the face of Russia's "aggressive militarism and expansionism," as he announced another $14 million in aid to the former Soviet state.

Nicholson met with Ukrainian Foreign Affairs Minister Pavlo Klimkin for several hours Thursday, to discuss the situation in Ukraine.

Canada has already committed $400 million in assistance to Ukraine, for economic stabilization and reform. Nicholson said Canada would be providing $14 million in additional aid, including:

$8 million for combating human trafficking of children and youth

$3 million for polio immunization

$1.6 million for legal representation and assistance to help protect human rights

As well, he said there would be funds to support judicial education.

"I'm a big believer, not surprisingly, in anything we can do to promote the rule of law," Nicholsontold reporters in the House of Commons.

Nicholson said the Russian President Vladimir Putin’s regime "is trying to intimidate Ukraine into submission" and Canada remains concerned by the recent escalation of violence on the ground, particularly at the Black Sea port of Mariupol.

"Russia's actions in Ukraine call for a robust and sustained response by Canada and its partners and quite frankly, it is the right thing to do," Nicholson said.

"This is why our government continues to take strong action," he said, noting Canada's contribution of military resources, non-lethal equipment, and ongoing sanctions.

Despite the ceasefire agreement recently negotiated in Minsk, there has been a recent uptick in clashes along the front separating Ukraine government and rebel forces.

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko warned earlier this week that there is a continuing threat the clashes could escalate to full-blown war.

"War could start at any moment, but we are ready to do everything possible to dispel any room for doubts or retreats," he told a conference in Kyiv.

Since the conflict in Ukraine began a year ago, more than 6,000 people have died and a million have been displaced.