Canada Ready To Deploy Troops in Ukraine; Says It Will Send Strong Message To Putin

Canada reportedly decided to join hands in a training mission to help Ukraine's military in its fight against Russian-backed rebels, said Prime Minister Stephen Harper on Tuesday. This step was taken respecting Ukraine government's request for Canada's support.

So far, as many as 200 troops will be deployed in the Eastern European country until March 2017, to assist the country’s forces against the pro-Russian separatists. The Prime Minister made the announcement at the Department of National Defence in Ottawa but didn’t entertain any question from the press. However, the Defence Minister Jason Kenney and the Chief of Defence Staff Tom Lawson later addressed the media.

In the press meet, Mr. Kennedy insisted from the beginning that Canada is keen on helping western Ukraine to distance itself from border aggression. According to the defence minister, around 150 troops will possibly be deployed from 2 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group at Garrison Petawawa. The troops will be posted at a NATO facility in Yavoriv in western Ukraine, established under Canada’s assistance.

The remaining 50 trainer forces are likely to be deployed under the following arrangements:

25 troops, formerly deployed in Afghanistan, will be posted to offer explosives training at Ukraine's Ministry of Defence de-mining centre. There will be 15 military police trainers, 5 medical trainers and 5 to give logistical training. Another 5 to 10 trainers from Canada’s air force will be sent to provide flight safety training measures.

Mr. Kennedy informed, approximately $16 million could be spent in the mission in the first year. Meanwhile, the defence minister said, the step was necessary to "send a strong message of resolution and deterrence" to the Russian President Vladimir Putin.

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