Canada’s decision to send troops to Ukraine ‘deplorable,’ Russian embassy says

‘Russia is accusing Canada of contributing to a military buildup on its doorstep, calling Ottawa’s decision to send 200 soldiers to Ukraine to train Kiev forces a “counterproductive and deplorable” move.

In a statement, the Russian embassy in Canada said sending Western soldiers will not help ease conflict between the Kiev government and pro-Moscow separatists in eastern Ukraine.

Russian President Vladimir Putin says Russia will not give into Western pressure over the Ukraine conflict and that “such tricks do not work with Russia, have never worked before and will not work in the future.” Rough Cut (no reporter narration).

Two hundred Canadian military trainers will be deployed to Ukraine this summer. Defence Minister Jason Kenney says the troops will be stationed in western Ukraine, far from the embattled eastern part of the country.

“It does not help in any way the settlement of the internal fratricidal conflict in that country,” the embassy said.’

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