ADAZI, LATVIA --
Justin Trudeau joined NATO allies Tuesday in staging a theatrical rebuke of Russia's battle on Ukraine from a closely armoured war-games area and in a floodlit information convention from one of many alliance's jap European bases.
The prime minister promised Baltic leaders on a whirlwind journey to Latvia that Canada will stand with them to combat Russia's navy aggression towards Ukraine and its cyberattacks on their nations.
Trudeau and NATO Secretary-Normal Jens Stoltenberg made clear that NATO's function is defensive, however that the core NATO settlement -- that an assault on one member is an assault on all of them -- may be very a lot in play.
"We're right here to guard each inch of allied territory, of Latvia and all different NATO nations," Stoltenberg stated at a joint information convention on the ─Çdazi navy base northeast of Riga, Latvia.
The Norwegian politician's voice thundered over a loudspeaker at a joint information convention with Trudeau and Defence Minister Anita Anand, together with the prime ministers of Spain and Latvia, Pedro Sanchez and Kríjunis Kariaí. The occasion was held outside in near-freezing temperatures as a gentle snowfall dusted the politicians on their podiums, positioned within the foreground of greater than a dozen tanks, heavy armour and different imposing navy automobiles.
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"This demonstrates, actually, NATO solidarity," Stoltenberg stated, in case anybody missed the purpose.
"The aim of that deterrence is to not provoke a battle however to stop a battle. It's to protect peace."
Trudeau stated Russian President Vladimir Putin made a mistake pondering Ukraine and NATO had been weak and divided.
"He is been proven how flawed he's," Trudeau stated. "Ukrainians are sturdy and brave and standing as much as defend their land. And NATO has by no means been extra united and decided than we are actually. I do know I can communicate for all NATO members after I say we are going to all abide by Article 5."
Sanchez, echoing earlier remarks by Anand, tore a web page from the Canadian feminist overseas coverage play ebook and paid tribute to Worldwide Girls's Day.
"Eight March ought to have been a day of celebration of girls and ladies in Ukraine," Sanchez stated, including that Putin's "brutal aggression is forcing them to flee their nation or combat for his or her lives."
Sanchez stated he wished to "pay an homage immediately to all of them," pledging NATO would stand by their aspect.
Earlier, the group drove over bumpy roads, dwarfed by tall coniferous bushes to a NATO coaching floor known as French Hill for a tour of a large battlefield scattered with a dozen heavy tanks and artillery items on a base that was as soon as a Chilly Warfare outpost of the previous Soviet Union.
Canadian defence chief Gen. Wayne Eyre joined them for a tour and briefing on the battle gaming.
Canada leads the NATO battle group in Latvia, which is a part of its long-standing deterrence efforts towards Russia -- a mission that has taken on new significance in gentle of the Russian invasion.
It's certainly one of 4 such efforts within the Baltics and Poland, designed to exhibit the energy of the NATO alliance within the area towards Russia.
Navigating dust that was at occasions ankle deep, the entourage of politicians and navy officers visited with troopers from the ten NATO nations which might be stationed right here.
"They see renewed function. It is the entrance line of freedom," Eyre stated.
Trudeau requested questions of a Latvian commander from a hilltop bunker that neglected the large plain of rutted dust.
Trudeau stated that Canada's mission in Latvia, dubbed Operation Reassurance, wasn't set to be renewed till 2023, however given the Russian invasion in Ukraine, Canada was saying a multi-year renewal instantly.
Trudeau arrived in Latvia within the wee hours of Tuesday earlier than an early morning assembly with Kariai. It was adopted by an expanded teleconference with leaders from Baltic NATO members Estonia and Lithuania on what was the thirteenth day of the Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Trudeau stated Russia has "weaponized" misinformation not solely towards Ukraine however in all "democracies across the West."
"Fairly frankly, you have got been dwelling not simply with the navy risk, not simply with the historical past of occupation … but in addition, the each day use of propaganda and disinformation to try to undermine the democracy and the values you have got," Trudeau instructed the three Baltic leaders.
Putin takes nice offence on the NATO buildup on his nation's borders. He has opposed NATO's growth into nations that had been as soon as within the Soviet sphere.
Ukraine will not be a NATO member however was looking for membership within the 30-country transatlantic alliance in addition to nearer ties with the European Union. Russia annexed Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula in 2014 after the overthrow of the Kremlin-backed administration in Kyiv.
That marked essentially the most vital breach of Europe's borders for the reason that Second World Warfare -- a milestone now eclipsed by Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Trudeau stated the continuing present of unity amongst NATO allies and different democracies to again Ukraine is a essential a part of bringing the disaster to a detailed.
Kariai instructed Trudeau the Russian invasion didn't achieve "driving a wedge between Europe and North America, driving a wedge between NATO companions." As a substitute, he stated, "the precise reverse" occurred and there was a "coming collectively of minds."
Trudeau instructed the Baltic leaders that Canada has the third largest inhabitants of Ukrainians on this planet after Ukraine itself and Russia, "so we're deeply, deeply troubled and engaged by this battle in Ukraine."
"We're demonstrating that, not like what Putin thinks or mistakenly thought, democracies can and can defend not simply themselves and their territory, however the ideas and guidelines and the values that truly make us profitable," Trudeau stated.
Trudeau flew to Germany Tuesday evening for conferences Wednesday with Chancellor Olaf Scholz. He can be joined in Berlin by Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland.
He'll finish his journey to Europe in Poland later this week.
This report by The Canadian Press was first revealed March 8, 2022.
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