Today, Defence Minister Anita Anand, accompanied by Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS), General Wayne Eyre, concluded a trip to Europe during which they reaffirmed Canada's strong support to Ukraine and commitment to working with North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Allies and partners to strengthen the Alliance's deterrence and defence posture, and support the security of the region.
In Riga, Latvia, Minister Anand joined Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in meetings with several European counterparts, including Latvian Prime Minister Krišjānis Kariņš, the Prime Minister of Estonia, Kaja Kallas, and the Prime Minister of Lithuania, Ingrida Šimonytė, as well as the Prime Minister of Spain, Pedro Sánchez. Minister Anand and General Eyre then supported the Prime Minister during a meeting with NATO Secretary General, Jens Stoltenberg. They discussed ongoing security challenges facing Ukraine and underscored the importance of collective security in preserving global peace and security and the rules-based international order.
During the visit, Minister Anand and General Eyre visited with Canadian Armed Forces personnel deployed to Task Force Latvia Headquarters and the enhanced Forward Presence Battle Group at Camp Ādaži, in support of NATO assurance efforts. They also met with Latvian Minister of Defence, Artis Pabriks and Lieutenant General Leonīds Kalniņs, Commander of the Latvian National Armed Forces, where they reiterated Canada's unwavering commitment to NATO, Latvia and the enhanced Forward Presence.
Prime Minister Trudeau also announced that Canada will renew its multi-year commitment to Operation REASSURANCE, the Canadian Armed Forces support to NATO's assurance and deterrence measures in central and eastern Europe.
During the second leg of the trip the Minister and CDS travelled to Naples, Italy, where they discussed NATO assurance and deterrence plans with members of the Allied Joint Force Command stationed there. They also participated in a town hall with Canadian Armed Forces members deployed in the region.
Since January 2022, Canada has responded to Russia's aggression against Ukraine by providing financial support, humanitarian and military aid, and imposing financial sanctions and measures to support Ukraine.
