Canada is withdrawing personnel from Canada’s Joint Task Force Ukraine, which could signal an imminent invasion of the country by neighboring Russia.
These soldiers were part of the mission that trained the Ukrainian troops. They will be relocated outside Ukraine.
The ministry refuses to discuss their number or location for security reasons.
“The temporary repositioning of Canadian Joint Task Force Ukraine personnel does not mean the end of the mission,” the department said.
This measure will “refocus our efforts while ensuring the safety of members of the Canadian Armed Forces,” he added.
National Defense Minister Anita Anand said Canada remains “committed to the people of Ukraine and their mission to enhance the capabilities of Ukraine’s Security Forces.”
“This temporary repositioning will ensure the safety of Canadian personnel,” Ms. Anand wrote on Twitter.
On Saturday, Canada decided to temporarily suspend activities at its embassy in Kiev in Ukraine due to “the deterioration of the security situation caused by the deployment of Russian troops on the border with Ukraine”.
The diplomatic staff was transferred to a temporary office in Lviv, a city in the west of the country.
Russia has mobilized 100,000 soldiers on its border with Ukraine. She asked for a series of concessions from NATO, of which Canada is a member.
Russia has denied that it intends to start a war in the region. Diplomatic discussions between Moscow and the West have failed to reduce tensions.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spoke to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy about the situation on Saturday.
According to an account of the conversation released by Mr. Trudeau’s office, the Prime Minister underscored Canada’s strong support for Ukraine. He promised that concerted sanctions would be the consequence of any further military incursions into Ukraine.