Canada is committing HMCS Regina to NATO鈥檚 鈥渞eassurance package鈥 in Eastern Europe, Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced Wednesday.

In a statement, Harper said: 鈥淩ussia鈥檚 illegal occupation of Ukraine and provocative military activity remains a serious concern to the international community.

鈥淐anada remains committed to working with our NATO Allies to promote the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.鈥

HMCS Regina is currently deployed in the Arabian Sea.

Canada has already contributed six CF-18 fighter jets to NATO operations in response to the crisis in Ukraine. The planes will be stationed in Romania.

Wednesday鈥檚 announcement comes after Ottawa imposed new economic sanctions this week on nine Russians and two Russian banks.

In March, Russia slapped entry bans on 13 Canadian lawmakers and officials, and last week Russia expelled a Canadian diplomat from the country.