OTTAWA—The head of NATO has praised Canada for agreeing to take a leadership role in the standoff with Russia, even as new figures show Canadian defence spending has fallen to record lows.
Ottawa announced last week that Canada would join Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States in leading a 4,000-strong NATO force in Eastern Europe.
Canadian troops are expected to be deployed to Latvia, where they will make up the majority of a 1,000-strong battalion that will also include forces from other NATO members. Germany, the U.K., and the U.S. will lead similar units in Lithuania, Estonia, and Poland.
The government’s decision came after significant pressure from European and American allies, with U.S. President Barack Obama stating in his address to Parliament on June 29 that “NATO needs more Canada.”
Speaking in Brussels on Monday, July 4, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said Canada’s promise to lead one of the four battalions sends a clear signal that the alliance is strong and united.
“This is a great contribution to our common security and a clear signal that our nations will defend one another on both sides of the Atlantic,” Stoltenberg said at a press conference held days before NATO leaders, including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, were to meet at a summit in Poland starting Thursday.
Even as Stoltenberg was thanking Canada for its leadership in Eastern Europe, new figures produced by the alliance show Canada near the back of the pack in terms of defence spending.
