Canadian Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland said Canada's commitment to Ukraine was an important contribution to NATO's strength at a time when the United States was "unable to increase" its aid to the besieged country.

Freeland was responding to a question about Canada's efforts to meet NATO member countries' military spending target – 2 percent of GDP – in an interview with The House program on CBC broadcast today, Saturday.

When asked whether Canada would increase spending in the upcoming federal budget on April 16, Freeland refused to give an answer in either direction. She told host Catherine Cullen that Canada's per capita commitments to Ukraine – which she described as "NATO's most urgent challenge" – were very important.

Freeland said after being informed that U.S. Ambassador David Cohen would also appear on the program, "We have been there to fill the gap" "In March, Canada sent two billion dollars to support urgent budget financing for Ukraine at a time when the United States – and perhaps this is something you can ask the U.S. Ambassador about – was unable to ramp up and provide support."

She added, "Canadians can stand tall and proud, knowing that our country is doing its part to resist Russia and support Ukraine, which is NATO's biggest battle."

Canada has faced increasing pressure – from local voices and some allied countries – to achieve the 2% target set by NATO countries at the alliance meeting in Wales in 2014.

Kerry Buck, Canada’s former ambassador to NATO, told CBC News earlier this week: "We are not going to be kicked out of NATO, but when a point is made at the NATO Council table, your voice becomes less important because you need to put your money where it belongs." 

The U.S. bill is still forgotten

Freeland said that "tricks in Congress" made the United States unable to provide the urgently needed support to Ukraine as it fights to defend itself from Russian forces.

She added, "This is a Canadian support problem for Ukraine; it is not Ukraine's problem."

The United States is struggling to pass legislation allowing billions of dollars in aid to Ukraine and other allies. Republicans have demanded concessions on border measures in exchange for foreign aid.

Cohen defended the U.S. contribution to Ukraine when asked about Freeland’s comments.

He said in a separate interview aired on Saturday: "I have no desire to discuss Chrystia Freeland when she is not here."

"The United States has allocated 77 billion U.S. dollars to Ukraine, including 44 billion U.S. dollars in military aid... I will stand by this record every day and be very proud of it."

In a broader discussion of Canadian military spending, Cohen acknowledged Canada's actions on NORAD modernization and support for Ukraine, and its commitment to renewing its fighter fleet. He said the 2 percent target remains important as a minimum spending level, but the United States also considers other factors.

He continued, "I have been very keen to talk about my call regarding Canada's need to invest properly in defense and defense readiness so it can continue to increase spending, and I have been equally clear that I do not think it is fair to assess Canada’s defense performance or commitment by referring to any single metric."

He added, "Democracy can be a bit ugly sometimes, and it can be a bit exhausting. In the end, democracy succeeds, and I have no doubt that the U.S. Congress will intensify its efforts and that there will be a steady flow of continued significant support to Ukraine from the United States."

In previous statements, Cohen balanced praise for Canada’s other military commitments with some pressure on the NATO target. He said the "world is watching" what Canada is doing and that he remains "optimistic" about achieving the target.

He told CBC News in February: "I do not think Canada has any interest in being an outlier country in NATO."