Canada extends, expands military training mission in Ukraine

3 yıl önce

TORONTO — Canada is extending its mission to train Ukrainian soldiers by three years and plans to enlarge the operation, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Wednesday.

Trudeau said he has authorized the military to deploy 60 more personnel to join 200 troops already on the ground, with further capacity to increase that number up to 400. It’s part of a $340 million Canadian (US$268 million ) commitment.

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“This is not a combat mission, this is a training mission. The Canadian military will be there to advise and assist. We will continue training,” Trudeau said. “In the event of a Russian incursion or invasion into Ukraine we will ensure that Canadian military remain safe.”

Trudeau said the effort also includes a provision of non-lethal equipment, intelligence sharing and support to combat cyberattacks.

The Canadian mission is intended to support Ukrainian forces so the country can defend its sovereignty, security and territorial integrity, the prime minister said.

Trudeau said Defense Minister Anita Anand will travel to Latvia and Ukraine to visit with Canadian soldiers in the coming days. Anand said Canada has trained over 30,000 soldiers in Ukraine.

There are more than 1.3 million people with Ukrainian origin in Canada.