Re: Ukraine / Latvia

by **Accer** Fri 14 Dec 2018, 2:25 pm

Canada should expand Operation UNIFIER in Ukraine – parliamentary report

14 December, 2018

Canada's training mission in Ukraine, Operation UNIFIER, which is scheduled to end in March 2019, should be continued.
This is stated in a report of the Standing Committee on National Defence of the Parliament of Canada entitled “Responding to Russian aggression against Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia in the Black Sea region”.

“The Committee recommends that the Government of Canada continue to provide effective and relevant military training to the Ukrainian Armed Forces and that it look for opportunities to expand the type of training and support provided by the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) through Operation UNIFIER beyond March 2019,” the document reads.

The MPs also called on the Government to announce in advance the renewal of Operation UNIFIER.

“The Committee recommends that the Government of Canada issue a notice of early renewal of Operation UNIFIER as a signal of continued support between Canada and Ukraine,” the report says.

https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-defense/2600790-canada-should-continue-operation-unifier-in-ukraine-parliamentary-report.html

by Vexmax Sat 15 Dec 2018, 9:25 am

More than 10,000 Ukrainian soldiers trained by Canadian instructors under Operation UNIFIER

15 December 2018

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https://www.unian.info/politics/10378056-more-than-10-000-ukrainian-soldiers-trained-by-canadian-instructors-under-operation-unifier.html

by **Masefield** Tue 08 Jan 2019, 8:56 am

New commander for NATO's Latvia-based battle group

Jan 8, 2019

January 9 will see a change in the top brass of NATO's enhanced forward presence in Latvia with Lieutenant-Colonel Philippe Sauvé taking over command from his Canadian compatriot Lieutenant-Colonel Steve MacBeth, thereby concluding the rotation of the third group of troops deployed in Latvia, Latvia's Defense Ministry reported.

In an interview with a French-language Canadian news site immediately prior to his departure for Latvia, Sauvé said troops would need to be on their guard against disinformation during their deployment, but "if there is disinformation, we have people who pay attention to that and if there is any, we will respond with credible information and explain what we are really doing on this mission."

The multinational battle group in Latvia is based at Camp Ādaži, is led by Canada and consists of approximately 1,400 soldiers from Albania, the Czech Republic, Italy, Canada, Montenegro, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia and Spain who perform rotational duties in Latvia by participating in training with Latvia's own National Armed Forces.

The alliance decided to beef up its presence in Eastern Europe and the Baltic states following Russia's illegal annexation of Crimea from Ukraine and subsequent actions in Donbas.

Allies implemented the 2016 Warsaw Summit decisions to establish NATO’s forward presence in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland and to develop a tailored forward presence in the Black Sea region.

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https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/defense/new-commander-for-natos-latvia-based-battle-group.a305384/

by Cool~Way Thu 10 Jan 2019, 9:23 am

New Canadian commander in Latvia "ready to do the mission"

Jan 10, 2019

The new senior officer in charge of NATO's "enhanced forward presence" (eFP) battalion in Latvia said January 9 he is prepared to deal with the possibility of disinformation efforts trying to portray the mission in a negative light as he embarks on the latest six month rotation of forces.

Lieutenant-Colonel Philippe Sauvé of the Canadian army has previously served in Bosnia-Herzegovina and Afghanistan but for the next six months will take charge of the 1,400-strong battalion of NATO allies based in Latvia. Canada has been charged with taking the leading role in the Latgvian battalion with Great Britain taking a similar role in Estonia and Germany in Lithuania.

"The battle group here in Latvia is very capable. We've been here for eighteen months, we've learned to work together, we're improved our interoperability and we're ready to do the mission," Sauvé told LTV, "but it's still a new team that has to build cohesion together."

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"We are aware of fake news, we take it seriously, and when there's misinformation we make sure we correct that information. Everything that we do is transparent," he said.

The multinational battle group in Latvia is based at Camp Ādaži, is led by Canada and consists of approximately 1,400 soldiers from Albania, the Czech Republic, Italy, Canada, Montenegro, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia and Spain who perform rotational duties in Latvia by participating in training with Latvia's own National Armed Forces.

Canada contributes approximately 540 soldiers to the enhanced Forward Presence Battle Group in Latvia, plus approximately 240 sailors aboard a frigate, operating with NATO as part of Operation Reassurance. The Canadian-led battlegroup in Latvia at Camp Adazi, Latvia officially launched its mission in June 2017.

The alliance decided to beef up its presence in Eastern Europe and the Baltic states following Russia's illegal annexation of Crimea from Ukraine and subsequent actions in Donbas.

Allies implemented the 2016 Warsaw Summit decisions to establish NATO’s forward presence in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland and to develop a tailored forward presence in the Black Sea region.

https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/defense/new-canadian-commander-in-latvia-ready-to-do-the-mission.a305615/

by Sandman Mon 25 Feb 2019, 8:03 am

Well-prepared and locally invested. Interview with commander of NATO's Latvia-based battle group

Feb 25, 2019

https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/defense/well-prepared-and-locally-invested-interview-with-commander-of-natos-latvia-based-battle-group.a310711/

by Stealth Mon 25 Feb 2019, 4:12 pm

Ukraine asks Canada to send message to Russia by extending military mission

The Canadian Press
FEBRUARY 25, 2019

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Ukrainian ambassador to Canada Andriy Shevchenko appears at a House of Commons defence committee on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2018. Ukraine is asking the federal government to send a message to Russia by extending and expanding the Canadian Forces' training mission sooner rather than later. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

OTTAWA — Ukraine is asking the federal government to send a message to Russia by extending and expanding the Canadian Forces' training mission sooner rather than later.

In an interview with The Canadian Press, Ukrainian Ambassador Andriy Shevchenko says he is confident Canada will extend the military mission, whose mandate is due to expire at the end of March.

But he says the sooner an extension is announced, the stronger the signal to Russia that Canada remains a strong supporter of Ukraine.

The Canadian Forces has had about 200 service members in Ukraine since September 2015 to help train the country's military, which is locked in a war with Russian-backed separatist forces.

Shevchenko is also praising Canada for continuing to support his country's renewed bid for a UN peacekeeping mission, which Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko raised at the General Assembly last week.

The ambassador predicts Canada along with the U.S. and European Union will very soon announce fresh sanctions against Russia after that country's forces seized three Ukrainian naval vessels and 24 sailors in November.

https://www.princegeorgecitizen.com/ukraine-asks-canada-to-send-message-to-russia-by-extending-military-mission-1.23645002

by Delta Mon 18 Mar 2019, 6:52 pm

Canada extending military missions in Ukraine, Iraq
Social Sharing

Murray Brewster · CBC News · Posted: Mar 18, 2019

'The people of Ukraine know they can count on Canada' - Freeland

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Canada extended its military missions in both Ukraine and Iraq today, taking a stand-pat approach to two of the world's flashpoint conflicts.

Late last year, the all-party House of Commons defence committee called on the Liberal government to "look for opportunities to expand the type of training and support" provided by the Canadian military to Ukrainian forces.

There will be no change, however, to the size and composition of the 200-soldier Canadian contingent.

Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland defended that decision, pointing out that the government is demonstrating its support for Ukraine in multiple ways — by, for instance, expanding the list of sanctions targeting Russian businessmen and by helping monitor upcoming elections in the eastern European country.

"I'm very confident this the support Ukraine needs," Freeland said of the renewed military mission, which will now extend to the end of March 2022.

She insisted the mission's terms are flexible enough to allow Canadian soldiers to offer various types of training and help to reform Ukraine's defence establishment — something the parliamentary committee also wanted to see.

"This is a mission, actually, that allows us to meet Ukraine's needs and to offer new forms of support as Ukraine needs them," Freeland said.

The Ukrainian army continues to battle separatists in eastern regions. Tensions spiked a few months ago when Russia seized three Ukrainian naval vessels and 23 crew members over a dispute in the waters off the Crimean Peninsula.

On Friday, in response to the incident in the Kerch Strait, Canada and several other western countries imposed further sanctions on Russian individuals, notably Vladimir Yakunin, a long-time ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Yakunin was placed on a U.S. sanctions list in March, 2014, shortly after Crimea was annexed, but the former Conservative government did not follow suit.

As the former head of Russian Railways, he had strong business ties with Canada — particularly with Montreal-based train manufacturer Bombardier Inc. In a 2015 interview with The Canadian Press, he was asked if those links had shielded him from being blacklisted by Canada.

"I suppose Canadians are not the same masochists, like, you know, Europeans," he said at a dinner involving news agency heads from around the world. "This is jokingly answering your question. I consider that I am known enough in Canada as a promoter of the idea of collaboration."

The Liberals, while still in opposition four years ago, promised to place both Yakunin and another Putin ally, Igor Sechin, under sanction. Freeland defended the length of time it's taken to deliver on that pledge.

"I'm very glad we've included them on this latest sanctions list," she said. "We do the work necessary to ensure that we are focused on the appropriate people. We've done that work. This is a strong action by Canada."

Yurii Nykytiuk, a spokesman for the Ukrainian embassy in Ottawa, said his government appreciates the extension of the military mission because "it helps save the lives of Ukrainian soldiers" and assists his country in pursuing its goal of one day joining NATO.

"It wouldn't be fair for me to say that we do not need more instructors in Ukraine, but the job the Canadian Armed Forces is doing is a tremendous job, and we value it very much," he said.

The Ukraine mission's mandate was due to expire at the end of the month.

The second mission being extended involves a training and advisory deployment in Iraq.

That deployment — leading the NATO training mission and giving direct support to the U.S.-led coalition that has been hunting down the remnants of the Islamic State group — will now continue until the end of March 2021.

The extension of the Iraq mission comes as no surprise. Last summer, the Liberal government agreed to lead the NATO training mission headquartered in Baghdad.

Canada is providing 250 soldiers, a headquarters, security forces and transportation to other alliance members training Iraqi forces to handle security on their own.

Separately and distinctly, Canadian special forces also are providing direct advice and assistance to Iraqi troops in the northern part of the war-torn country.

Sajjan said Canada's mission allows Iraq and coalition partners to "more effectively plan and execute military operations aimed at improving stability in the region."

Canada first deployed troops and fighter jets to the campaign against the Islamic State in the fall of 2014 after the extremist group captured vast swaths of territory in both Syria and Iraq.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/ukraine-iraq-freeland-sajjan-russia-isis-1.5061159

by Marshall Sun 07 Apr 2019, 8:31 am

The hot cold war: Inside Canada's military training mission in Ukraine

Murray Brewster · CBC News · Posted: Apr 07, 2019

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https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/ukraine-canada-russia-insurgents-1.5087351

Year-long deployments: Edmonton-based soldiers sharpening skills for Middle East, Ukraine, Latvia ops

ANNA JUNKER Updated: April 7, 2019

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https://edmontonjournal.com/news/local-news/military-year-ender

by Ironman Tue 21 May 2019, 9:01 am

Canadian defence minister once again assures Ukraine of support

21.05.2019

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https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-polytics/2704592-canadian-defense-minister-once-again-assures-ukraine-of-support.html

by Dalton Thu 04 Jul 2019, 7:44 am

Canada pledges more money for Ukraine amid Russian aggression | Power & Politics

CBC News
Published on Jul 3, 2019

by **SniperGod** Sun 07 Jul 2019, 9:38 pm

CFB Shilo soldiers heading to Latvia - July 7, 2019

by Armoured Tue 09 Jul 2019, 12:44 pm

Shilo troops off to Latvia

By: Chelsea Kemp
Posted: 07/9/2019

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Members pack at Canadian Forces Base Shilo on Monday in preparation for a six-month deployment to Latvia. (Chelsea Kemp/The Brandon Sun)

https://www.brandonsun.com/local/shilo-troops-off-to-latvia-512453062.html

by Sandman Sat 13 Jul 2019, 9:04 am

Defence policy first, weapons later, Canada tells Ukraine

Posted: Jul 13, 2019

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https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/ukraine-canada-russia-defence-weapons-sales-1.5210632

by Mojave Tue 30 Jul 2019, 9:13 pm

Canadian Forces mission in Latvia dogged by problems with harassment, unprofessional behaviour: report

David Pugliese, Ottawa Citizen
July 30, 2019

https://nationalpost.com/news/canadian-forces-mission-in-latvia-dogged-by-problems-with-harassment-unprofessional-behavior-report-reveals

by Lionfield Wed 31 Jul 2019, 9:11 am

Capt. Terry Hunter of Charlottetown, P.E.I., assisting security forces in Ukraine

July 31, 2019

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https://www.theguardian.pe.ca/news/local/capt-terry-hunter-of-charlottetown-pei-assisting-security-forces-in-ukraine-338752/

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