A draft deal that might end Russia’s war on Ukraine won some tentative Canadian support on Friday.

“We have to talk to each other, and we’re supportive of productive dialogue that might lead to a negotiated outcome that might end the war,” Defence Minister David McGuinty told reporters at the Halifax International Security Forum.

There are a thousand Russians, and hundreds of Ukrainians dying every day in the conflict, McGuinty said.

“Canada is always looking to support progress,” he said.

If U.S. efforts lead “to a negotiated outcome that ends the war, we’re supportive,” McGuinty said, noting he’s not privy to the negotiations.

“But we remain hopeful, eternally hopeful, that we can bring this to an end. First a ceasefire and then an end to the war.”

Meanwhile, Europe is “preparing t

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