As the crisis in east Europe continues to deteriorate, Canada’s defense minister, Anita Anand, arrived in freezing temperatures in Kyiv and echoed the warnings of western allies against any Russian invasion.
As Minister of National Defence and as an elected official, I take very seriously the fundamental values of our country. I believe that we must show respect at all times to those who fought and died for Canada. I am deeply disturbed by the actions of disrespect we have witnessed. https://t.co/C2JU3Oiz0q
— Anita Anand (@AnitaAnandMP) January 30, 2022
The Ukrainian government said Moscow has made it clear that it will not intervene militarily in Ukraine, and allies should not raise alarms.
According to Anand, Canada is concerned about the situation and strongly supports the stark assessments from allies.
“It is difficult for me to say what intelligence the Ukrainian government has,” said Anand. She noted she had just arrived and hadn’t yet met with her counterparts.
Anand said there is “intelligence that is sound, that there is increasing escalation of Russian troops at the Ukrainian border, including in Belarus,” adding that “we believe that Russia has a choice, and that choice is to negotiate with a view to de-escalation” or it will “face severe sanctions and consequences.”
Global Affairs Canada said in a statement on Sunday that it has temporarily withdrawn non-essential employees and their families from the Canadian Embassy in Ukraine.
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