(OTTAWA) Global Affairs Canada announced on Sunday the temporary withdrawal of non-essential staff from the Canadian embassy in Ukraine due to high tensions in the region following a Russian military build-up that raised fears of an invasion.
Posted at 2:35 p.m.
According to a statement, the government continues to monitor the situation closely. His “top priority” remains the safety of Canadians. The Embassy is always open to them.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced new support for Ukraine last week. The training mission of the Ukrainian army is prolonged and even extended. Canada will also send non-lethal military equipment, such as bulletproof vests.
Mr. Trudeau recalled that the Canadian soldiers present in Ukraine were not there to fight a possible Russian invasion. The aim is to help Ukrainians defend themselves against aggression.
Russia has deployed around 100,000 troops near the border, raising fears of an invasion. The government has denied having this intention.
The statement said Canada will strengthen its embassy team in Kyiv by sending officials with expertise in areas such as security sector reform, conflict management, democratic reform, consular services and diplomacy.
“Together, they will increase our diplomatic capacity and allow us to continue to assess and react to developments in support of Ukraine,” the statement read.
Russia demands that Ukraine not be admitted to NATO, the military and political coalition of Canada, the United States and 28 European countries. The Kremlin also demands that NATO withdraw all its forces from territories that once belonged to the former Soviet Union, such as Latvia, Lithuania or Estonia.
NATO’s rejection of these claims has fueled fears of another war in Europe.
Trudeau last week announced a $340 million commitment to extend the training mission, known as Operation UNIFIER, for three years.
He mentioned that he had also authorized the Canadian Armed Forces to deploy 60 additional personnel to join the 200 soldiers already on the ground, with a possibility of increasing this number up to 400.
Prime Minister Trudeau also pledged $50 million in development and humanitarian aid to Ukraine on Wednesday, in addition to the $120 million loan offered last week to help stabilize Ukraine’s economy.
NATO members are discussing the possibility of increasing their strength in Eastern Europe to deter the Russians from invading Ukraine.