Defence Minster Bill Blair says Canada is open to sending Canadian troops on a non-combat mission to train Ukrainian troops within Ukraine amid Russian warnings of “tragic” consequences for any nation providing direct troop support to its adversary.
Countering the West’s support for Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin on Feb. 29 warned of “tragic” consequences, including the spectre of a global nuclear war, for any country that deploys troops to support Ukraine.
Putin’s warning alluded to Russia’s capability to strike back and raised alarms about the potential for a nuclear conflict that could spell catastrophe for civilization.
Despite Mr. Putin’s remarks, Mr. Blair outlined Canada’s position: While firmly against sending combat troops, there is an openness to assume a non-combat role that could involve training Ukrainian soldiers in their country.
Mr. Blair stressed the delicate nature of such a mission.
“It has to be done in a fairly careful and limited way, the possibility of delivering training,” he said.
“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.”
Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland, when asked by reporters Feb. 27 about Canada sending troops to Ukraine, did not mention the possibility of training taking place directly in Ukraine.
“I have to emphasize the fact that our soldiers are there in Poland, and they’re directly working with Ukrainian soldiers,” she said, adding, “It’s really making a difference.”
Canada’s commitment to Ukraine’s military training is not new. Mr. Blair highlighted the ongoing small Canadian military presence in that country aimed at protecting Canadian diplomats. He also referenced Operation Unifier’s legacy of having trained thousands of Ukrainian soldiers, although the mission relocated to other countries following Russia’s invasion in 2022.
Mr. Blair noted that “some of that training is challenging because it’s difficult to get people out of Ukraine to do the training.”
He acknowledged that some allies at the summit thought such an operation in Ukraine might be misconstrued as taking a combat stance.
Following European leaders’ dismissal of Mr. Macron’s troop deployment suggestion, French Defence Minister Sébastien Lecornu clarified the nature of the discussions. He said they were in line with Mr. Blair’s description, focusing on non-combat activities, like military training or demining, rather than engaging in warfare against Russia.
