Canada commits non-lethal equipment to Ukraine

OTTAWA Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says Canada is extending its mission to train Ukrainian soldiers by three years. He says Canada will also expand the mission, known as Operation UNIFIER.

Trudeau says as part of the $340million commitment, he has authorized the Canadian Armed Forces to deploy 60 personnel to join 200 troops already on the ground, with further capacity to increase that number up to 400.

He says it also includes a provision of non-lethal equipment, intelligence-sharing and support to combat cyberattacks.

He says this guarantees the Forces’ continued support of Ukrainian forces so the country can defend its sovereignty, security and territorial integrity.

Trudeau adds Defence Minister Anita Anand will travel to Latvia and Ukraine to visit with Canada’s Forces in the coming days.

Russia has positioned about 100,000 troops across Ukraine’s border along with tanks and other heavy artillery, raising fears across Europe and the NATO military alliance of an invasion, something Russia has denied.

Ukrainian Canadians, and the Ukrainian government in Kyiv were asking Canada to provide weapons to the Ukraine military, impose further sanctions on Russia and extend Canada’s military training mission of its forces beyond its expiry date at the end of March.

Global Affairs updated its travel advisory Monday, warning against non-essential travel to Ukraine.