Canada’s Department of National Defense announced in a statement that Canadian Defense Minister Harjit Sajjan will head to Germany, Poland and Ukraine next week to meet with his counterparts there.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — Canadian Defense Minister Harjit Sajjan will head to Germany, Poland and Ukraine next week to meet with his counterparts there, but will use the opportunity to also meet with Canadian troops participating in two military exercises, Canada’s Department of National Defense announced in a statement.

"Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan will lead a delegation of Parliamentarians on a visit to Ukraine, Poland, and Germany from March 14 to17 to meet with defence counterparts in those countries," the statement said on Friday. "While overseas, the delegation will also visit Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) personnel deployed on Operations UNIFIER and REASSURANCE."

The Department of National Defense explained that Operation REASSURANCE is part of Canada’s contribution to NATO’s assurance measures in central and eastern Europe.

Canada’s participation is in response to the "changing security environment in and around Europe," the statement pointed out.

In addition, the Department of National Defense vowed to continue supporting Kiev "maintain sovereignty, security and stability through Operation UNIFIER."

Over the past year and a half, NATO has continued amassing troops and equipment and increased the number of military exercises on Russia’s border.

Russia has repeatedly warned NATO that its actions are provocative, contrary to past agreements and can have a destabilizing effect in the region as well as globally.