Yuri Zoria

Minister: Canada open to sending non-combat troops to Ukraine to train Ukrainians - Euromaidan Press

https://euromaidanpress.com/2024/02/29/minister-canada-open-to-sending-non-combat-troops-to-ukraine-to-train-ukrainians/

Minister: Canada open to sending non-combat troops to Ukraine to train Ukrainians

While rejecting sending combat troops to Ukraine, Canada expresses openness to deploying limited military personnel for non-combat training of Ukrainian soldiers within Ukraine, away from front lines.

byYuri Zoria

29/02/2024

3 minute read

Canadian and Ukrainian flags. illustrative image: chamber.ca

Canadian Defence Minister Bill Blair stated that Canada is open to sending a limited number of military personnel to train Ukrainian troops within Ukraine, provided the operation occurs far from the front lines in a clear, non-combat role, the Toronto Star reports.

In his interview with the Toronto Star, Blair mentioned discussing the idea of sending military personnel for training at a Paris security summit on 26 February with NATO allies and other Ukraine supporters. Following the summit, French President Emmanuel Macron’s suggestion of sending troops into Ukraine led to Western allies, including Canada, rejecting the deployment of combat soldiers.

Macron stated that while there is no consensus on officially sending ground troops, nothing should be ruled out to ensure Russia cannot win the war, adding that France is “not against sending them.”

Following European leaders’ rejection of Macron’s suggestion to send troops to Ukraine, French Defence Minister Sébastien Lecornu clarified that discussions were centered on military training or demining operations, “not sending troops to wage war against Russia.”

Meanwhile, on 29 February, Russian President Vladimir Putin threatened countries that deploy troops to support Ukraine with “tragic” consequences, including the risk of global nuclear war.

Despite Canada’s declaration of having “no plans to deploy combat troops” to Ukraine, Blair expressed openness to a non-combat role for the Canadian military, training Ukrainian soldiers in the country. Additionally, a security agreement between Canada and Ukraine signed last weekend states that Canada might resume training activities in Ukraine “when conditions permit.”

“I do not want to put Canadian Armed Forces personnel anywhere near a combat theatre that could create the perception that we are taking on any component of a combat role,” Blair told the Toronto Star.

Blair mentioned that the Canadian military’s small presence in Ukraine is currently for diplomatic protection, with previous training of Ukrainian soldiers through Operation Unifier now moved abroad due to Russia’s invasion. In Paris talks, he discussed the challenges of training outside Ukraine and the possibility of conducting it within the country. However, he noted concerns that this might be seen as a combat role, emphasizing that there is a consensus against it.

Meanwhile, Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas stated that “everything” is on the table to support Ukraine’s victory over Putin and highlighted the need for private discussions on all options. Her remarks were in response to French President Emmanuel Macron’s hint at potentially sending ground troops to assist Kyiv, which had previously sparked a backlash from allied governments, prompting quick clarifications that troop deployment was not imminent.

On 26 February, French President Emmanuel Macron suggested that sending Western troops to Ukraine is still a possibility.
On 27 February, Kremlin Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov claimed that deploying European NATO troops to Ukraine would inevitably lead to a conflict between Russia and NATO.
Sweden, Poland, and the Czech Republic have ruled out the possibility of sending ground troops to Ukraine, which was followed by similar statements from other countries, including Germany, Slovakia, and Hungary.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said that the Alliance has no plans to send combat troops to Ukraine, despite providing unprecedented support since 2014.

Minister: Canada open to sending non-combat troops to Ukraine to train Ukrainians - Euromaidan Press

Minister: Canada open to sending non-combat troops to Ukraine to train Ukrainians

Loading...