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Conyers’ office noted that Ukraine’s Interior Minister Arsen Avakov recently announced that Azov troops would be among the first to be trained by the U.S.

Jack Harris, the NDP defence critic, said concerns have been raised before on what on kind of forces Canada could end up training in Ukraine.

“If they’ve integrated (Azov) into the larger organization then we will be seeking clarification from Mr. Kenney about what is happening here,” Harris said.

He noted that Kenney is up Wednesday before a Commons committee and will face such questions about the training.

The Conservative government has committed as many as 200 Canadian soldiers to train Ukraine’s military.

Some Ukrainians claim that accusations against the Azov Battalion have been fabricated by Russian propagandists to undercut support for Ukraine.

The battalion issued a statement that it is outraged by the statements by the U.S. congressmen and that the unit has always embraced patriotism.

Canada is a key supporter of Ukraine and has denounced Russian involvement in the ongoing crisis in the region.

Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine and has provided support to the separatist forces. Canada and NATO have accused Russia of sending troops and equipment to take part in the war, but Russia denies that.

The Conservative government has provided more than $570 million worth of aid to Ukraine.

Some former Canadian diplomats, however, have suggested the government’s position on Ukraine is aimed at winning votes from Ukrainian-Canadians in the upcoming federal election.

The amendments put forward by Conyers and Yoho would also prevent the transfer of portable shoulder-fired anti-aircraft missiles to Ukrainian or Iraqi troops.

U.S. lawmakers have voiced concern about American military equipment falling into the wrong hands. Tanks, trucks, anti-tank rockets and other gear were captured by the Islamic State after Iraqi troops retreated in large numbers. Some U.S. supplies provided to Ukraine’s government have ended up on the black market.

dpugliese@ottawacitizen.com

Twitter.com/davidpugliese