Canada boosts Ukrainian military training mission, but yet to match Kyiv’s ask for lethal weapons, sanctions

Canada came short of matching Kyiv’s appeals for help, announcing it is extending and expanding its military training mission to Ukraine, but defensive weapons and sectoral sanctions are not part of the assistance package. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (Papineau, Que.) announced on Jan. 26 Operation Unifier would be extended for another three years. He also said that another 60 soldiers will be joining the 200 troops already in Ukraine “within days,” with the training mission potentially expanding to include 400 Canadian personnel. “Our ongoing commitment to Operation Unifier guarantees the Canadian Armed Forces' continued support of the security forces of Ukraine, so Ukraine can defend its sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity,” he said. “Everything we do is motivated by our pursuit of de-escalation and a diplomatic solution,” Trudeau said about the assistance package. The extension and expansion of the mission matched a request made by the Ukrainian government. Ukraine's top diplomat in Ottawa, chargé d’affaires Andrii Bukvych, told The Hill Times on Jan. 21 there had been “intensive communications” at the highest levels between Canada and Ukraine. Bukvych said Ukraine wanted to see the mission—which is based in western Ukraine—extended to other areas of the country, such as central and southern Ukraine. Noting the risks are the lowest in western Ukraine, Trudeau said their current positions allows the CAF mission to “concentrate most directly on training Ukrainian troops to be able to continue to defend the integrity of their territory.” He said decisions on increasing the number of Canadian military trainers in Ukraine will be based on the “situation on the ground” and the needs of the Ukrainian military. He also announced increased intelligence and cybersecurity co-operation, as well as providing “non-lethal” equipment and up to $50-million in development and humanitarian assistance. Canada had previously announced a $250-million loan for Ukraine to stabilize its economy. Absent from Canada's announced assistance were defensive weapons and the imposition of sectoral sanctions—two parts of the three-pronged Ukrainian request for help. Defence Minister Anita Anand says the biggest contribution Canada can make to Ukraine is to train Ukrainian soldiers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade Bukvych said that Kyiv wanted to see Canada follow the U.S. and U.K. in providing defensive weapons to Ukraine. The U.S. announced it would provide $200-million in military aid to Ukraine over the past year, and approved Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia to send U.S.-made weaponry to Ukraine. The U.K. has sent 2,000 anti-tank missiles. Other countries, like Germany, pledged financial assistance, but rejected appeals for lethal assistance. Trudeau didn’t provide a direct explanation as to why Canada isn’t providing defensive weapons to Ukraine. Asked if Canada has rejected providing Ukraine with defensive weapons in the future, the prime minister said Canada continues to look for ways to be “helpful” to Ukraine. “We will continue to monitor the situation closely and stand by our Ukrainian friends as we look to give them the support that they need,” he said. Defence Minister Anita Anand (Oakville, Ont.) said the biggest contribution Canada can make to Ukraine is people. “We have trained, our soldiers have trained, over 30,000 Ukrainian soldiers. We should not underestimate the importance of this training mission,” she said. Trudeau emphasized that the Operation Unifier is a training mission and not a combat mission. “The protection and safety of our Canadian soldiers is paramount in this mission,” he said. “And in the event of a Russian incursion or invasion into Ukraine, we will ensure that the Canadian military remains safe.” Bukvych said last week that he didn’t see why providing defensive weapons would be against Canada’s national policy principles. “When we hear, for example, opinions that it isn’t worth irritating Russia supplying weapons to Ukraine, I can say weapons are already there,” he said. “Ukraine has a very well-developed defence industrial sector, we manufacture a lot of weapons by ourselves. But, of course, we’re lacking it to … secure a full fledged defence.” Bukvych also said it is “essential” for Canada to impose “severe sectoral sanctions” on Russia, adding that it is “necessary to act swiftly,” as he said Ukraine faces the greatest military threat since the Cold War. Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly (Ahuntsic-Cartierville, Que.) said if Russia continued to pursue “aggressive actions” towards Ukraine, there would be “serious consequences,” including co-ordinated sanctions with Canada’s allies. Joly said to “complement” Operation Unifier, Canada will be increasing its “diplomatic capacity” in Canada and in Ukraine. “This is critical for deterrence and de-escalation,” she said. Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly says Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's single ask in their meeting was for Canada to provide the $120-million loan. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade Trudeau said in his Jan. 26 call with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, it was agreed that “strong, cohesive, and aligned sanctions on individuals, on financial institutions, on other areas and sectors of the economy are going to be extremely important.” “Russia needs to be under no illusions that the concerted approach by Western democracies will be clear and forceful in terms of economic impact on Russia,” he said. Joly said when she met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Jan. 18, his single request was for Canada to provide the $120-million sovereign loan. She added that Ukrainian Foreign Affairs Minister Dmytro Kuleba asked for the expansion of Operation Unifier. Canada’s top diplomat announced the creation of a new task force at Global Affairs to co-ordinate Canada’s response, as well as having more resources “to analyze and respond” on the ground in Ukraine. “It is a very effective strategy to make sure that we are resisting any further Russian invasion, but also misinformation by the Russian government,” Joly said. “Canada will continue to work towards a peaceful solution to this rapidly evolving crisis, while preparing for Russian escalation.” The Conservative Party criticized the assistance package, in a joint statement released by MPs Michael Chong (Wellington-Halton Hills, Ont.), his party’s foreign affairs critic; Kerry-Lynne Findlay (South Surrey-White Rock, B.C.), her party’s defence critic; and James Bezan (Selkirk-Interlake-Eastman, Man.), his party’s deputy whip and past defence critic. The three MPs said Trudeau has failed to defend Ukraine by not providing defensive weapons. “This lack of action by Prime Minister Trudeau calls into question the Liberal government’s support for Ukraine in their fight against Russia's aggression. The time for half measures has long passed. Ukraine needs Canada’s support and today Mr. Trudeau let them down,” they said. Defending Ukraine based on national interest, not people-to-peoples ties: Freeland Following Russian Ambassador to Canada Oleg Stepanov “expressing concern” in an interview with The Globe and Mail over Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland's (University-Rosedale, Ont.) influence of government policy, the Ukrainian-Canadian second-in-command defended Canada’s support for Kyiv. “Canada’s policy towards Ukraine in the current crisis is not guided by human connections or the special relationship they have created. It is essential for Canada in January 2022 to support Ukraine—we have a national interest in doing so,” Freeland said. “A clear and urgent one. This is a question of a fight between democracy and authoritarianism.” “This is a direct challenge to the rules-based international order and an attempt to replace it with a world where might makes right and where the great powers—the nuclear-armed powers—have the authority to redraw the borders, dictate the foreign policies, and even rewrite the constitutions of sovereign democracies whose only fault is they are smaller and their militaries are not as powerful,” she said. “Ukraine is on the frontlines of that struggle and that is why Canada is standing with Ukraine.” The Globe reported that Stepanov said Freeland was “heavily influencing” Canada’s government in favour of Ukraine. Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland says Canada is defending Ukraine in a fight between 'democracy and authoritarianism.' The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade “She is a member of the Ukrainian diaspora,” the ambassador said. “She is the right hand of the prime minister ... so she is an influential voice in decision-making.” Freeland said she has never been asked if her English roots—where her father was born while his father was part of the Royal Air Force—influence the positions she takes. “For Canada—as a multicultural country, a country that’s proud of its diversity—we must be clear that all Canadian citizens have the right to express their opinion and take clear positions on issues of national interest.” nmoss@hilltimes.com The Hill Times

Canada boosts Ukrainian military training mission, but yet to match Kyiv’s ask for lethal weapons, sanctions

Canada's commitment to its Ukrainian training mission will increase by 60 soldiers to 260 'within days,' and it could increase over time to 400.

Canada’s aging crisis and a call for reform in eldercare

Feds request $24.8-billion boost as Liberals double down on budget 2024 pledges in latest estimates

Japan not taking part in procurement bid for Canadian Navy’s new subs

Billions from public-service pension plan surplus gives Liberals many options

New government spending request will be snared in parliamentary gridlock while privilege debate persists

Trump adds pressure to increase defence spending, but MPs and others consider U.S. NATO withdrawal unlikely

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

Canadian troops vital to Ukraine effort, but aren’t superhuman

Solidarity pitch behind Green Party’s Ukraine trip

In an imperfect world, a total Ukrainian victory isn’t feasible

Like past conflicts, the full extent of war in Ukraine won’t be known for years

What more can Canada do to support Ukraine?

News

Get free news updates

Opinion

Submit a guest opinion article

resources

Advertise

subscribe

get help

Get free news updates

Submit a guest opinion article

Canada boosts Ukrainian military training mission, but yet to match Kyiv’s ask for lethal weapons, sanctions

Canada's commitment to its Ukrainian training mission will increase by 60 soldiers to 260 'within days,' and it could increase over time to 400.

Get The Foreign Policy Newsletter

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8