Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced on Wednesday the extension of Operation UNIFIER for three years, and the deployment of 60 more troops to Ukraine in the coming days. Trudeau made the announcement following a cabinet meeting, alongside Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland, Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly, and Defence Minister Anita Anand. The operation, which trains Ukrainian armed forces and the national guard, was set to expire in March. A group of 200 Canadian Armed Forces members are sent to the country every six months. On top of the additional 60 personnel, Trudeau said the government has the capacity to increase the number of boots on the ground to up to 400.
“The biggest contribution that Canada can make to Ukraine right now is people. We have trained, our soldiers have trained over 30,000 Ukrainian soldiers. We should not underestimate the importance of this training mission,” said Anand.
The government also announcement a shipment of non-lethal weapons to Ukraine, intelligence sharing, and support to combat cyberattacks amid threats of a potential Russian incursion as 100,000 troops sit stationed at various points along the border.
The U.S. and the U.K. have begun sending lethal weapons in response to a direct ask from Ukrainian officials.
Asked why Canada is choosing to send non-lethal equipment, Trudeau said his team is continuing to monitor the situation at the border but noted the government’s priority is focused squarely on helping Ukraine defend itself.
Source:ctvnews.com
