Canada extends its military training mission in Ukraine

News release

March 18, 2019 – Ottawa – National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces

Canada is a leader in the international community’s support for the people of Ukraine.

The Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of National Defence, and the Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced that the Government of Canada is extending Operation UNIFIER, the Canadian Armed Forces military training mission in Ukraine, until the end of March 2022. While Ukraine’s defence and security forces continue to make considerable progress, ongoing insecurity in the region underscores the importance and relevance of Canada’s military mission. 

Through Operation UNIFIER, the Canadian Armed Forces will continue to provide military training and capacity building assistance to Ukraine’s defence and security forces. The training provided by the Canadian Armed Forces directly helps Ukraine’s defence and security forces to uphold domestic security and territorial integrity, contributing to regional and international stability.

Operation UNIFIER supports Ukraine’s broader reform agenda and contributes to current Canadian efforts that invest in democracy, human rights and the rule of law in Ukraine.

Quotes

“Today’s announcement reaffirms Canada's steadfast support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and our commitment to global security. Canada’s commitment to Ukraine is unequivocal and unwavering. With the renewal of Operation UNIFIER, the women and men of our Canadian Armed Forces are playing a key role in helping build, develop and modernize the capabilities of Ukraine’s defence and security forces.”

The Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of National Defence

“The people of Ukraine know they can count on Canada. Operation UNIFIER is an essential part of our multifaceted support to Ukraine. We are steadfast in our commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, as it works toward a stable, democratic and prosperous future. That is why Canada is also proud to host the third annual Ukraine Reform Conference in July this year.”

The Honourable Chrystia Freeland, P.C., M.P., Minister of Foreign Affairs

Quick facts

  • Canada continues to provide a broad range of assistance (development, financial, humanitarian, non-lethal military) to Ukraine, totaling more than $750 million since January 2014.

  • The Canadian Armed Forces supports the professional development of Ukraine’s defence and security forces through a range of training activities including combined arms training, military engineering, logistics, military policing, and medical training. 

  • Under Operation UNIFIER, Canada deploys approximately 200 Canadian Armed Forces personnel to Ukraine.

  • Since the start of the training in September 2015, the Canadian Armed Forces has trained more than 10,800 Ukrainian service members to be self-sufficient in their training delivery and in the conduct of military operations.

  • On March 15, 2019, Canada announced, in coordination with the European Union and the United States, new sanctions in response to Russia’s aggressive actions in the Black Sea and Kerch Strait, Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea and to the destabilization of eastern Ukraine.

  • From July 2 to 4, 2019, Canada will host the third Ukraine Reform Conference in Toronto. The conference will bring together, among others, foreign ministers from the European Union, the G7 and NATO countries to support Ukraine and its people, in meeting their ambitious democratic and economic reform programme and Euro-Atlantic goals. 

Associated links

Contacts

Todd Lane
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of National Defence
Phone: 613-996-3100
Emailtodd.lane@forces.gc.ca

Media Relations
Department of National Defence
Phone: 613-996-2353
Email: mlo-blm@forces.gc.ca

Adam Austen
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs 
Email: Adam.Austen@international.gc.ca

Media Relations Office
Global Affairs Canada
Phone: 343-203-7700
Email: media@international.gc.ca
Follow us on Twitter: @CanadaFP 
Like us on Facebook: Canada’s foreign policy - Global Affairs Canada

Page details

Date modified: