Canada is coming up with cash for Ukraine.

Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird says Canada will contribute $220 million to an international effort to stabilize Ukraine’s finances.

Baird says Canada will work with the European Union, the United States and the International Monetary Fund to help Ukraine.

He also says Ukraine seems to have enough money to keep afloat for a few months – so that gives the international community time to work out some solutions.

But he says Canada won’t be writing blank cheques and I-M-F advisers on the ground in Ukraine will make recommendations on what level of support the country needs.

Baird also says Canada will not recognize the Russian-backed referendum this weekend in Crimea – calling it an illegitimate stunt.