UCC PRESIDENT CALLS FOR RENEWAL OF OPERATION UNIFIER
February 21, 2019
The Right Honourable Justin Trudeau, PC, MP
Prime Minister of Canada
80 Wellington Street
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A2
Dear Prime Minister Trudeau:
RE: Operation UNIFIER - Canada’s continued commitment to training Ukraine’s military and security forces
As part of ongoing international efforts to assist Ukraine in building its military and security capacity, approximately 200 Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) personnel are currently deployed to Ukraine to provide Ukrainian soldiers with training. Since 2015, the program has trained more than 10,000 Ukrainian soldiers.
I was honoured to be part of your delegation in 2016 when we visited the base in Western Ukraine where CAF personnel train Ukrainian soldiers. At that time, you stated, “The reason we’re here supporting Ukraine is not just because Ukraine is a good friend to Canada and the Ukrainian people are good friends to us. It’s because the values, the principles that they’re fighting for are the values and principles that we stand for and that we fight for.” This strong message of support is one for which the people of Ukraine, and the Ukrainian community in Canada, are very grateful.
There is no question that Operation UNIFIER has been a resounding success. CAF personnel are acknowledged throughout the world as extraordinarily effective and successful military trainers and instructors. Moreover, upon their return from deployment CAF personnel are recognized and thanked by Ukrainian Canadian communities across Canada. Canada’s current commitment to Operation UNIFIER extends to March 31, 2019. It is critical that Canada extends its commitment to train Ukraine’s military and security personnel, at current or increased levels of participation, through to 2025.
Every day, Ukrainian soldiers are fighting and dying on the front in Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts, defending their country from Russian aggression. Between July 11, 2016 and February 20, 2019, 409 Ukrainian soldiers have died and 2,366 have been wounded in battle. - 2 - As Ukraine’s military and security forces continue to defend their country against Russian aggression, they must build on the successes of Operation UNIFIER to improve their capacity and strength.
Ukraine’s Ministry of Defence has committed to the professionalization of its military, to meeting NATO standards, and to reaching full interoperability with NATO Allied Forces by 2020. On February 20, 2019 Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko signed a constitutional amendment committing the country to becoming a member of NATO. Much has been accomplished, however, much work remains.
As one of Ukraine’s most reliable friends and partners, we are confident that Canada will continue to play a leadership role in supporting and strengthening Ukraine’s defence capabilities.
