OTTAWA --
Latvia is crossing its fingers that it's up subsequent after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau introduced this week that Canada is extending and increasing its navy mission in Ukraine in response to issues about Russia.
In an interview, Latvian Ambassador to Canada Karlis Eihenbaums mentioned his countrymen are grateful for the 600 Canadian troopers at the moment deployed to the Baltic state to defend towards the specter of Russian assault.
The Canadians kind the spine and lead a 1,000-strong NATO battle group that features troopers from 9 different alliance international locations. The battle group is one among 4 such models throughout jap Europe first established in 2017 as a test towards Russia.
However Eihenbaums mentioned his authorities is hoping the Canadian authorities will lengthen the mission past its present finish date of March 2023 -- and that Canada and different NATO members will add extra forces to the combination.
"We hope it is going to be continued because the Canadians are doing an awesome job," he mentioned, including in reference to each Russia and its ally Belarus, which additionally borders Latvia: "It's a particularly vital sign now to our neighbours."
A lot of the present standoff between Russia and NATO has revolved round Moscow's demand that Ukraine by no means be allowed into the transatlantic navy alliance, which incorporates Canada, america and 28 European international locations.
But the Kremlin has additionally demanded NATO withdraw all its forces from the territory of member states that after belonged to the Soviet Union, an inventory that features Latvia. The alliance has rejected the demand, resulting in fears of a brand new battle in Europe.
It was on this context that Trudeau introduced a three-year extension to Canada's coaching mission in Ukraine and 60 further trainers to the present 200-soldier contingent. Canada can be offering non-lethal tools, intelligence and cyber assist.
NATO members are additionally in talks about bolstering the alliance's presence throughout jap Europe as an additional deterrent to battle, with some allies reminiscent of France and Denmark having already introduced further commitments over the previous week.
Trudeau on Thursday spoke with Latvian Prime Minister Krišjānis Kariņš who thanked Canada for contributing troops to the battle group and main it. A abstract from Trudeau's workplace mentioned Kariņš additionally welcomed Canada's determination on the Ukraine mission.
But whereas the abstract didn't point out any request for added troops to Latvia, Eihenbaums mentioned the 2 did focus on "the best way to enhance" the battle group in Latvia. He added Defence Minister Anita Anand is scheduled to go to the nation within the coming weeks.
Latvia's long-serving international minister made no secret this week of his authorities's view that NATO must step up its presence within the area.
"We're reaching the purpose the place steady Russian and Belarusian navy buildup in Europe must be addressed by applicable NATO countermeasures," Edgars Rinkevics ìs wrote on social media.
"It's time to enhance allied forces' presence within the alliance's jap flank each as measures of defence and deterrence."
The present battle group is designed for typical warfare, that means fight with the same military reminiscent of Russia's. Whereas Canada's contribution is especially infantry with armoured automobiles, different companions have supplied tanks, artillery and different tools.
Comparable battle teams led by Britain, Germany and america have been established in Estonia, Lithuania and Poland, respectively.
Some have expressed concern that the addition of extra NATO troops on the alliance's border with Russia will additional escalate tensions at a time when cooler tempers have to prevail.
Whereas he clearly would not need battle, Eihenbaums argued one of the best ways to cope with Russia is thru a present of resolve by reinforcing the alliance's presence in his nation and elsewhere throughout the area.
"Russians are mainly like in a boxing ring," he mentioned. "They perceive when you're sturdy. And you need to be sturdy. If we're in a position to ship further (troops), this will likely be appreciated and welcomed."
Requested earlier this month whether or not the federal government would repatriate Canadian troops from Latvia and Ukraine if Russia attacked, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau famous Canada is in Latvia to defend the nation and different NATO members from Russian incursions.
Eihenbaums famous the battle group is designed to battle if wanted, including: "There are generally questions on, 'If there's something, are they going to battle?' In fact they are going to go to battle. There isn't any query of all this."
This report by The Canadian Press was first revealed Jan. 29, 2022.
FILE - Prime Minister Justin Trudeau shakes fingers with Canadian troops after delivering a speech on the Adazi Army Base in Kadaga, Latvia, on July 10, 2018. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
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