Defence Minister Anand concludes visit to Ukraine

January 31, 2022 - Kyiv, Ukraine - National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces

Today, Defence Minister Anita Anand concluded a trip to Ukraine - the first of three destinations on her first official foreign trip as Minister of National Defence. Over the course of her two-day visit, she re-affirmed Canada's strong commitment to Ukraine, and met with several of her Ukrainian counterparts and members of the Canadian Armed Forces deployed on Operation UNIFIER.

Minister Anand and Ukraine's Minister of Defence Oleksii Reznikov held their first in-person bilateral meeting, which follows three previous meetings held in recent months.

The ministers discussed the recently announced extension and expansion of Operation UNIFIER, the Canadian Armed Forces' (CAF) military training and capacity-building mission in Ukraine. Minister Anand reiterated that Canada remains steadfast in its support of the Ukrainian people in the face of Russian aggression and intimidation, and is committed to finding peaceful ways to advance democracy and stability. Minister Reznikov expressed deep appreciation for Canada's continued military and diplomatic efforts in support to Ukraine.

While in Kyiv, Minister Anand also spoke with the Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine, Oleksiy Danilov, and the Minister of Internal Affairs, Denys Monastyrsky. They discussed the ongoing security challenges facing Ukrainians, and Canada's commitment to helping Ukraine strengthen its ability to defend itself against a range of threats. They further underscored the importance of collective security in preserving global peace and security, and the rules-based international order.

The minister also had the opportunity to meet with members of the CAF deployed on Operation UNIFIER, and personally thanked them for their significant contributions in support of the security forces of Ukraine. She emphasized the important role the CAF's work plays in helping to enhance these forces as a whole.

Minister Anand will next be traveling to Brussels to meet the Secretary General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, Jens Stoltenberg. While there, the minister intends to reaffirm Canada's commitment to transatlantic security and emphasize the importance of strengthening cooperation with our European allies and partners to build a safer and more secure world. Afterwards, the Minister will travel to Latvia to meet with her counterparts and CAF personnel deployed on Operation REASSURANCE, and reaffirm Canada's commitment to the security and stability of Central and Eastern Europe.