Latvia hopeful Canada will extend, boost military presence amid Russia threat
Global News
Latvian ambassador to Canada said his countrymen are grateful for the 600 Canadian soldiers currently deployed to the Baltic state to defend against the threat of Russian attack.
Latvia is crossing its fingers that it is up next after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced this week that Canada is extending and expanding its military mission in Ukraine in response to concerns about Russia.
In an interview, Latvian Ambassador to Canada Kārlis Eihenbaums said his countrymen are grateful for the 600 Canadian soldiers currently deployed to the Baltic state to defend against the threat of Russian attack.
The Canadians form the backbone and lead a 1,000-strong NATO battle group that includes soldiers from nine other alliance countries. The battle group is one of four such units across eastern Europe first established in 2017 as a check against Russia.
But Eihenbaums said his government is hoping the Canadian government will extend the mission beyond its current end date of March 2023 – and that Canada and other NATO members will add more forces to the mix.
“We hope it will be continued as the Canadians are doing a great job,” he said, adding in reference to both Russia and its ally Belarus, which also borders Latvia: “It is an extremely important signal now to our neighbours.”
Much of the current standoff between Russia and NATO has revolved around Moscow’s demand that Ukraine never be allowed into the transatlantic military alliance, which includes Canada, the United States and 28 European countries.
Yet the Kremlin has also demanded NATO withdraw all its forces from the territory of member states that once belonged to the Soviet Union, a list that includes Latvia. The alliance has rejected the demand, leading to fears of a new war in Europe.
It was in this context that Trudeau announced a three-year extension to Canada’s training mission in Ukraine and 60 additional trainers to the current 200-soldier contingent. Canada is also providing non-lethal equipment, intelligence and cyber help.
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