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“Canada continues to stand with the people of Ukraine in the face of the Putin regime’s ongoing aggression,” Harper said in a written statement accompanying the announcement.

“The Canadian military contribution being announced today will help Ukrainian forces’ personnel to better defend their country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.”

Asked whether the Canadian actions could escalate the situation in Ukraine or lead to a confrontation with Russia, Defence Minister Jason Kenney said Canada believes the best way to prevent such a situation is to send a strong message to Putin.

“Let there be no doubt that Putin’s aggression in Ukraine is not an isolated concern,” Kenney said. “This is why we believe, with our allies, that a message of resolve and deterrence is the best way to prevent a miscalculation with Mr. Putin.”

The training, intended to begin this summer, comes after consultation with “key allies,” said the government.

The training will take place primarily at a NATO centre in Yavoriv, in western Ukraine close to the Polish border. As well, some of the training will occur at the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence Demining Centre in Kamyanets-Podilsky, in western Ukraine.

According to a news release issued Tuesday, Canada will deploy about 200 military personnel to Ukraine until March 31, 2017, “to develop and deliver military training and capacity-building programs for Ukrainian forces personnel.”