Ukraine: Daily Briefing – March 27, 2018, 5 PM Kyiv time

The General Staff of Ukraine’s Armed Forces reported at 12:30 PM Kyiv time that in the last 24 hours, no Ukrainian soldiers were killed or wounded in action. In the last 24 hours, Russian-terrorist forces opened fire on Ukrainian positions 47 times, including at least 3 times with heavy weapons.

Rear Admiral B. Auchterlonie Deputy Commander of Canadian Joint Operations Command, Lieutenant Colonel F. Ault incoming Commander Joint Task Force-Ukraine Lieutenant and Colonel Kris Reeves exiting Commander Joint Task Force-Ukraine participate in a Transfer of Authority ceremony in support of OP UNIFIER, Starychi, Ukraine. 17 March 2018. Photo – Canada’s Department of National Defence

In an article published by the Maple Leaf, Joint Task Force-Ukraine Public Affairs Officer Captain Karyn Mazurek wrote, “On March 17, 2018, the incoming and outgoing members of Joint Task Force-Ukraine (JTF-U) took an important pause to mark the official transition of command authority of Operation UNIFIER. This operation is Canada’s ongoing contribution of support for a strong, stable and sovereign Ukraine.

           For the past six months, Operation UNIFIER has been in the capable hands of Lieutenant-Colonel Kris Reeves of the 3rd Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment. With the signing of the Transfer of Command Authority certificates, he passed the baton to LCol Fraser Auld of The Royal Canadian Dragoons. Both units are housed with 2 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group in Petawawa, which has been Canada’s High Readiness Brigade since July 2017.

          During his final remarks, LCol Reeves took the opportunity to highlight the close ties that have been forged not only between Canada and Ukraine, but also between the other allied nations-Lithuania, Poland, the UK, and the US-who have been working hand-in-hand at the International Peacekeeping and Security Centre (IPSC) near Starychi in western Ukraine.

          ‘I am so proud of the hard work and dedication of the soldiers, sailors, and air men and women of Rotation 4 during the past six months,’ LCol Reeves noted. ‘We have made tremendous progress working with our Ukrainian and allied-nation counterparts here at the IPSC, but we have also seen exponential growth in many different areas throughout Ukraine. It is my hope that Rotation 5, under Lieutenant-Colonel Auld, sees the same success as we assist Ukraine towards NATO compatibility.’

          LCol Fraser Auld readily acknowledged the successes over the past six months but firmly set his focus on the steps ahead. ‘There is still much work to be done as we support Ukraine to reach their goal of NATO compatibility; everyday sees new opportunities that we can pursue. I thank Rotation 4 for their thorough and detailed handover and to Rotation 5 I say ‘let’s get to work!”

         The event was presided over by Rear-Admiral Bob Auchterlonie, the Deputy Commander of Canadian Joint Operations Command. It included award presentations from Canada, Ukraine, and the United States to honour the efforts and commitment of many members of JTF-U.”

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, photo – NATO

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg stated, “The attack in Salisbury was the first use of a nerve agent on NATO territory. On March 14, NATO Allies made clear their deep concern, and condemnation of this reckless breach of international norms.

Since then, intensive consultations have taken place among Allies, including here at NATO and in capitals. Those consultations have resulted so far in the expulsion of over 140 Russian officials by over 25 NATO Allies and partners.

          This is a broad, strong and coordinated international response. And as part of that response, NATO is unified in taking further steps. I have today withdrawn the accreditation of seven staff at the Russian Mission to NATO. I will also deny the pending accreditation request for three others.

          And the North Atlantic Council has reduced the maximum size of the Russian Mission to NATO by ten people, in line with my decision. This will bring the maximum size down to twenty.

         This sends a clear message to Russia that there are costs and consequences for its unacceptable and dangerous pattern of  behaviour. […] Our actions reflect the serious security concerns expressed by all Allies, and are part of the coordinated international effort to respond to Russia’s behaviour. They are proportionate, and in line with our legal obligations.”

Commenting on yesterday’s expulsion of Russian diplomats by the United States, Canada, several EU states and Ukraine, former US Ambassador to Ukraine John Herbst, Director of the Atlantic Council’s Eurasia Center, stated, “It is encouraging that the Trump administration, in coordination with our allies in France, Germany, the UK, and other countries of the EU, expelled Russian diplomats in response to the Skripal poisoning. This is important because allied unity is one of our greatest advantages in dealing with Kremlin aggression and provocations.

          The administration’s decision not just to expel sixty Russian diplomats, but especially to close the Russian Consulate in Seattle, will make it much harder for Moscow to conduct espionage in the United States.

          While excellent, the coordinated transatlantic action against Moscow should not be an excuse for the UK to rest after its expulsion of twenty-three Russian diplomats. The Skripal attack is the second known Kremlin chemical weapon strike on British territory. That requires a much stronger reaction than expelling twenty-three diplomats. Let’s hope that vested interests in London do not prevent the imposition of British sanctions. If we want to see an end to such violations of sovereignty, the United States and others in Europe should coordinate with London to place additional sanctions on Russia.”

Ukraine Business Journal reported, “Work is to start this summer on a 173 km gas interconnector between Poland and Ukraine. The east-west pipeline will run from Poland’s Strachocina, about 60 km south of Rseszow, to Ukraine’s Bil’che, about 60 km south of Lviv.

          Piotr Naimski, Poland’s plenipotentiary for strategic energy infrastructure, tells Ukrinform: ‘The interconnector will promote creation of a competitive gas market in Central Europe.’ Referring to Gazprom’s abrupt gas cutoff to Ukraine on March 1, he said: ‘We are talking about the civilized market vendors. This will allow us to create a real market in Poland. Therefore, we will be able to offer gas to our neighbors, for example, Ukraine, which also needs a real and normal gas market.’ The pipe is to be commissioned at the end of 2020.”