Canada expanding support for NATO presence in Latvia
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Monday that Canada will be more than doubling its contribution to a NATO mission in Latvia.
Trudeau says the country will be committing 2.6 billion in funding over the next three years and up to 2,200 Canadian troops for deployment in the mission.
Additionally he promised that Canada would procure and pre-position critical weapon systems and help with intelligence and cyber activities.
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The announcement was made in Riga, Latvia Monday at a joint press conference with the Latvian Prime Minister Krišjānis Kariņš and Canadian Defence Minister Anita Anand.
“Today, we are once again standing shoulder to shoulder with our Allies against Russian aggression. Wherever they are in the world, the Canadian Armed Forces will always work to reinforce global stability, security, and the rules-based international order, toward a better and more peaceful world for all.”
News from Latvia: We’re renewing and expanding Operation REASSURANCE for three years – and we’re more than doubling our presence with up to 2,200 personnel to be persistently deployed. This will reinforce and enhance our land, maritime, and air capabilities.
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) July 10, 2023
Around 800 Canadian Armed Forces members are already involved in the mission in some capacity, making it the country’s largest overseas mission currently.
This comes as the NATO military alliance increases its presence near Russia in response to its ongoing attack on Ukraine.
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Since the war began the alliance has doubled the number of troops in the region and has plans to increase the size and scope of some battle groups to combat Russian advances.
Minister Anand and her Latvian counterpart have signed a three part plan to scale up the Latvian battle group to a brigade. They say that it is aimed to be completed in 2025.
NATO leaders, including Trudeau, are expected to attend the annual summit being held in Lithuania’s capital city starting on Tuesday.
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