Mark Carney refuses to abandon NATO allies in the face of Moscow
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Zambian Observer and La Nouvelle Tribune
European Parliament · European ParliamentCanadian Prime Minister Mark Carney rejects any idea of abandoning a NATO member, after reports that Moscow would link extensive demands on European security to peace negotiations. According to the Zambian Observer, Russia would demand that Kyiv cede all of Donbas, give up NATO membership and demilitarise the ports of Odesa and Mykolaiv.
The German daily Bild revealed on Friday 13 November an informal note handed by the Russian delegation to European negotiators during talks in Abu Dhabi. It is reportedly aimed at building a new security architecture for Europe and contains three specific demands, including Finland’s departure from the Alliance.
The Kremlin denies having demanded Finland’s withdrawal from the Alliance. Mark Carney, for his part, said: “The security of free Europe will be determined by free Europe and NATO, not by Russia.” He says his country supports Ukraine, territorial integrity and the rule of law. This stance comes two days after more than 40 European countries met in Dublin to discuss security.
Canada leads the NATO multinational brigade in Latvia, comprising around 3,000 soldiers from 14 allied countries. Under Operation Reassurance, its largest military mission abroad, Ottawa plans to raise its permanent contingent on site to a maximum of 2,600 military personnel. In late October, Mark Carney had proposed associate EU membership status for Canada.
