MONTREAL: Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Tuesday said his government would purchase a US air defense system to donate to Ukraine.

The US-built air defense system is worth $406 million Canadian (US$302 million), Defense Minister Anita Anand said.

The announcement was made after a bilateral meeting between Trudeau and US President Joe Biden in Mexico City.

Canada is offering the National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS) to Ukraine to counter Russia's massive bombardment of its critical infrastructure, Anand said.

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"Canada will continue to stand with the Ukrainian people as they fight against Russia's illegal and unjustifiable invasion," Anand tweeted.

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky responded that Canada had "vividly proven" its support.

"Thank you for helping us to protect our sky. NASAMS procured for us by Canada will be a strong shield for our cities and citizens," Zelensky tweeted.