NATO: Getting It Together

"Obviously this is in response to the situation that's developing (in Ukraine) and, frankly, more generally, to the concern that we have on what really is expansionism and militarism on the part of Russia under the presidency of (Vladimir) Putin."
Prime Minister Stephen Harper

The Royal Canadian Air Force’s CF-18 fighter. Postmedia News files Photo: Postmedia News files

The "long-term, serious threat to global peace and security" has merited Canada's response to NATO's request for member-countries' military to participate in plans to aid in countering the Russian "expansionism and militarism", even while faint hope arose of a diplomatic agreement between Ukraine and Russia prevailing. Even while, in Donetsk, a veritable handful of gunmen have declared that they represent the new government of the new state of Donetsk, and any agreement agreed to by Russia will not impact on their plans.

The Prime Minister announced Canada's military deployment of six CF-18 fighter jets to be based at an as-yet unnamed military airfield in Eastern Europe to aid in patrolling the skies over Poland and the Baltic States, which feel themselves particularly vulnerable to Moscow's expansionist plans, along with other NATO aircraft. A show of strength and solidarity, in support of eastern European member-nations; Poland, Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia. All four of which joined NATO with the dissolution of the Soviet Union.

Twenty high-ranking Canadian military officers will be flying out to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization's headquarters in Brussels to engage with others in planning response strategies to Moscow's incursions in Ukraine and threatening expanded incursions in east Ukraine, along with the prospective threats to other vulnerable states. Canada represents one of a number of NATO member countries prepared to contribute forces in lock-step with the alliance's plans to increase patrols on land, sea and air in targeted areas.

NATO plans as well to strengthen its ties with other non-NATO former Soviet countries like Armenia, Azerbaijan and Moldova bordering Russia. Canada's pledge of planes and personnel was presented even before the Geneva meeting between the U.S., E.U., Ukraine and Russia was completed with the declared commitment to de-escalate the Ukrainian situation. "I don't think we can be sure of anything at this point", commented U.S. President Barack Obama.

President Obama has already ruled out NATO forces entering Ukraine; a volatile confrontation certain to result from that kind of direct action. In any event, Western Europe is anything but anxious to provoke Russia to any greater dissatisfaction with their perceived interference in Russia's sphere of influence. Irregardless of whether that "influence" is one of shared agreement or enforced compliance, such as has occurred with Georgia and Moldova, and now Ukraine.

NATO's approach appears geared to caution Vladimir Putin that he has gone one step too far. In the hopes that the international presence that NATO presents will persuade him to mitigate his ambitions. It represents a three-pronged approach to the volatile situation; the pursuit of diplomatic, and economic avenues included. Should Russia nonetheless advance troops into eastern Ukraine the bluff would be called; Mr. Putin seems furiously adamant.

Canada has among its population millions of citizens who trace their family back to Ukraine, Poland and other eastern European countries. Among them, there would not be many who might have fond recall of the memory of those hereditary homelands' faring under Soviet rule. The opposition parties in Parliament have been broadly supportive of Canada continuing to contribute to a broader NATO enterprise in Eastern and Central Europe.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper met with Vadym Prystaiko, the Ukrainian ambassador to Canada, on Monday to discuss the worsening situation in Ukraine. (Adrian Wyld)

"We are very grateful for the prime minister's announcement that he's strengthening NATO and Europe, particularly sending to Central and Eastern Europe six fighter jets. We think that's a good move in the current, very unstable situation in our region", said Polish Ambassador to Canada Marcin Bosacki, of the "strategic shift" leading NATO back into the region.

NATO member commitments for increased allied forces in Eastern Europe:

• Canada; Six CF-18 fighter jets, 20 military officers to NATO headquarters in Brussels.
• United States; Six F-15 fighter jets, 12 F-16 fighter jets (not attached to NATO); one destroyer (not attached to NATO).
• United Kingdom; Four Typhoon fighter jets.
• Germany; Six Typhoon fighter jets.
• Denmark; Six F-16 fighter jets.
• Turkey; One air-to-air refuelling aircraft.
• Netherlands; One air-to-air refuelling aircraft, One minehunting ship.
• Norway; One military support ship; One minesweeping ship.
• Belgium; One minesweeping ship.
• Estonia; One minehunting ship.