Ukraine mission extended to 2019

The Liberal government on Monday extended its military training mission in Ukraine, amid warnings Russia could attempt to “destabilize” Canada’s political system.

But while largely welcomed by the Ukrainian government, the extension is being criticized by the Canadian Opposition for not going far enough in helping deal with a new outbreak of violence.

Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan and Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland said Canadian military trainers will remain in Ukraine until at least March 2019.

Canada has had about 200 trainers in the eastern European country since the summer of 2015, teaching about 3,200 Ukrainian troops the basics of soldiering as well as some advanced skills.

The mission, which began after Russia annexed Crimea and began supporting separatist forces in Ukraine’s Donbass region, was set to expire at the end of this month.

Sajjan said the extension was intended to show Canada’s unwavering commitment to Ukraine, while sending “a very strong message” to Russia that its actions will not be tolerated.

“It is Russia’s actions that have caused us to do this — Crimea, Ukraine and some of the other actions that they have taken,” Sajjan said during a news conference with Freeland outside the House of Commons.

Freeland suggested those actions could also include trying to interfere in or “destabilize” Canada’s political system as Russia is accused of having done in the U.S.

“There have been efforts, as U.S. intelligence forces have said, by Russia to destabilize the U.S. political system,” she said.

“I think that Canadians, and indeed other Western countries, should be prepared for similar efforts to be directed at us.”

Monday’s announcement was highly anticipated after Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko publicly appealed for an extension when Prime Minister Justin Trudeau visited Kyiv last July.

Ukrainian Ambassador Andriy Shevchenko said his country is grateful for Canada’s continued support, particularly after the worst outbreak of violence in eastern Ukraine since 2015.

“We welcome this news with great gratitude to the Canadian people and with hope that this will bring more security both for Ukraine and Canada,” Shevchenko said.

“To Ukrainians, it’s a sign of solidarity. To Russia, it’s a very strong signal of deterrence. And to the world, I think it’s a very powerful message of global leadership in dealing with global threats and global issues.”

Conservative foreign affairs critic Peter Kent criticized the “bare-bones” mission extension, saying it fell far short of what was needed.