TOPIC: UK and Canada Move to Send Weapons and Special Forces to Ukraine

In what is seen as a direct response to the increasing tensions between Russia and Ukraine, western powers have begun deploying military assets to the region. This comes after recent talks between Russia and the United States have stalled, with Russia presenting a list of impossible demands, including the halting of NATO expansion and the removal of NATO forces from ex-Soviet states. 

United Kingdom and Canada Respond

The UK has begun by supplying the Ukrainian forces with anti-tank weapons, aimed at disrupting any armoured thrusts by Moscow into the flatlands of eastern Ukraine. Canada has joined the UK in attempting to disrupt the battle plan of possible Russian invaders, by deploying a small contingent of special forces to the Ukrainian capital, Kiev. On Monday, the British Foreign Secretary confirmed that the UK had decided to supply Ukraine with 'light anti-armour defensive weapon systems', before going on to emphasise that these were defensive measures that posed no direct threat to Russia. It is understood a small contingent of British army personnel will assist in the training of Ukrainian forces to use this equipment. The British Foreign Secretary is also noted this week to have published an article on the topic of NATO and Russia, asserting his firm belief that NATO is a defensive alliance. He went on to argue that the expansion of NATO in to former Soviet states is not in an attempt to encircle Russia, but as a natural response stemming from the threats these smaller states feel emanates from Moscow. In response, the Ukrainian Defence Minister, Oleksii Reznikov tweeted that Ukraine 'highly appreciates Britain's decision to provide a new security package with light, anti-amour defensive weapons!'

Indeed, the UK has not been alone in stepping up its support for Ukraine, Global News reported that Canada dispatched a team of special forces operatives to Ukraine. The special forces are apparently to be used to develop evacuation plans in the event of an invasion as well as to identify other ways Canada can assist Ukraine. Due to the nature of special forces operations, Canada was unable to confirm the specific deployment, but did state that it had been supporting Ukraine in regard to training and 'instructor and leadership expertise', since 2020. This deployment comes just as the Canadian Foreign Minister, Melanie Joly, met the Ukrainian PM on Monday, during a visit aimed at discussing efforts to deter 'aggressive actions' taken by Russia.

Source: https://natoassociation.ca/canadian-armed-forces-logistical-leaders-in-resettlement/