As other countries begin to withdraw embassy and diplomatic staff from Ukraine over heightened concerns of a Russian invasion, Canada is suggesting any non-essential Canadians should leave.
鈥淚f you are in Ukraine, you should evaluate if your presence is essential,鈥� to avoid non-essential travel to the region, due to 鈥渙ngoing Russian threats and military buildup in and around the country.鈥�
Over the weekend both the U.S. State Department and the acknowledged that some embassy staff and their families were being withdrawn in response to the growing Russian threat.
When asked whether Canada was planning to do the same earlier on Monday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was noncommittal.
鈥淲e are following the situation in Ukraine extremely closely鈥� There are many contingency plans in place,鈥� Trudeau said. 鈥淭he safety of Canadian diplomats and their families is of course paramount, and we will continue to be there for Ukraine and ensure the safety of Canadians and Ukrainians.鈥�
Trudeau said that Canada would be making its decision around pulling out Canadian staff based on 鈥渟afety on the ground鈥� as it relates to Russia鈥檚 amassing of troops along the border.
Citing security considerations and their policy to not discuss 鈥渙perational details,鈥� Global Affairs Canada did not comment on how many Canadian diplomats would have to be evacuated should the situation escalate further.
鈥淕lobal Affairs Canada takes the safety and security of our personnel, their families, and our missions overseas very seriously. Global Affairs Canada works with its missions in the development of prudent contingency planning for any type of emergency situation, and continuously monitors the security situation at its missions abroad,鈥� said spokesperson Patricia Skinner in an email.
Heading into a three-day virtual cabinet retreat, Trudeau was also asked if the Canadian government was any closer to answering Ukraine鈥檚 calls for Canada to expand operation UNIFER, provide defensive weapons, and impose more sanctions on Russia.
鈥淚'm sure there will be more announcements to come,鈥� the prime minister said.
Asked how much longer Canada needs to weigh Ukraine鈥檚 other requests, Trudeau said it鈥檚 going to be a topic of discussion at cabinet meetings over the next few days.
鈥淭his is something that matters deeply to us,鈥� he said.
Conservative Leader Erin O鈥橳oole said that Canada should be providing military assistance 鈥渋n any way our Ukrainian allies feel is helpful,鈥� as well as further sanctions.
鈥淲e need to send things that can help Ukraine stand up towards this aggression鈥� If our Ukrainian allies need more, need things to actually repel an attack or save lives, we should provide what equipment we can,鈥� O鈥橳oole said in an interview on 麻豆影视 Channel鈥檚 Power Play.
Asked whether he thinks it鈥檚 time for Canadian diplomats to leave, O鈥橳oole said that if Global Affairs Canada cannot assure their safety, then Canada 鈥渟hould look at plans to make sure that we can help our staff on the ground, but also Canadians that may be at risk there.鈥�
