November 17, 2017

Update on Canadian-Ukrainian defense relations

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As Canada’s minister of national defense, I am proud that the past year has seen increased coordination and cooperation between the Canadian and Ukrainian governments. Having just returned from my second trip to Ukraine, I am pleased to share with Canadians the way our governments are continuing to work together.

In March, Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland and I announced the extension of Operation UNIFIER, ensuring Canadian soldiers will continue to train members of the Ukrainian armed forces. As of September 1, the Canadian Armed Forces’ Joint Task Force-Ukraine has trained more than 5,580 Ukrainian soldiers in over 140 courses. The opportunities for learning on both sides are paying off, as soldiers from each country benefit from the knowledge and experiences of the other.

In April, Ukrainian Defense Minister Stepan Poltorak visited Canada to sign the Canada-Ukraine Defense Cooperation Agreement, putting pen to paper demonstrating Canada’s strong support for Ukraine and providing a framework for future military cooperation. This milestone allows our government to move quickly forward at adding Ukraine to the Automatic Firearms Country Control List.

The Canada-Ukraine Free Trade Agreement took effect on August 1, and will create jobs and opportunities in both our countries.

More recently, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had the honor of hosting President Petro Poroshenko during his visit to Toronto to cheer on Ukrainian athletes at the Invictus Games. During bilateral discussions, our leaders talked about ways our governments can continue to work together to grow our economies, bring about peace in the Donbas and continue to stand up against Russian threats. It was inspiring to see the resiliency of the Ukrainian soldiers and security personnel who participated in the Invictus Games, and the warm way Canadians from all cultural backgrounds cheered them on.

During my recent visit to Ukraine, I had the opportunity to see first-hand some of the military training Canada is providing in Lviv. In Kyiv, I saw tremendous work being done through civil-military partnerships, and was inspired by the civic pride shown everyday by Ukrainians. I had the honor of sharing meetings and meals with members of Ukraine’s military leadership, and meeting some of the Canadian and Ukrainian soldiers who are working together to stand up to Russia.

Through our trade agreement, through our military partnerships, through our cultural communities and through our work within NATO, Canada is sending a strong message of deterrence to Russia. We have soldiers in Latvia to prevent what happened in the Donbas from happening in the Baltics. We are cautiously optimistic about a potential peacekeeping mission in Ukraine, if there is the right mandate and if Ukraine has a strong voice to ensure its needs are met.

Ultimately, the greatest successes are because of the strength of the people of Ukraine, both in Ukraine and in the diaspora. Ukraine’s strength is the greatest demonstration to Russia that their threats and actions are unwarranted. Canada will continue to stand by Ukraine, today, tomorrow and long into the future. I look forward to continuing to meet with Ukrainian Canadians and working with my Ukrainian counterparts to strengthen this important bilateral relationship.

Slava Ukrayini!

 

Harjit Sajjan is Canada’s Minister of National Defense

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