Ukraine can count on Canada's support - Freeland

Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland said this in a statement on November 9, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

"The people of Ukraine can count on the continued and unwavering friendship and support of Canada," she said.

She emphasized that Ottawa condemns Russia's illegal actions in Ukraine, in particular, annexation of Crimea and ongoing support to separatists in Donbas.

"Our government has been unwavering in its support for the people of Ukraine and Ukraine's territorial integrity. We condemn Russia's illegal annexation of Crimea, the ongoing violence and ongoing support to insurgents in eastern Ukraine," Freeland said.

According to the foreign minister, the Canada-led multinational battlegroup in Latvia, as part of NATO's enhanced Forward Presence, is an example of "Canada's leadership and ongoing commitment to regional security."

As reported, during the NATO summit in 2016, Canada agreed to send its troops with equipment to Latvia and lead the multinational battalion currently deployed in the Baltic States to deter possible Russian aggression. The United States, Germany and the United Kingdom each sent a battalion and deployed their troops in other member states of the North Atlantic Alliance bordering Russia.

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