MPs studying Ukraine war to focus on NATO expansion during Europe trip – National | 24CA News

Expanding the North Atlantic Treaty Organization has change into a serious focus of Parliament’s international affairs committee because it excursions a number of European nations to review the affect of the warfare in Ukraine, the committee chair stated in an interview in Warsaw Sunday.

The committee members began their journey in Sweden final week and can finish in Finland – two nations which might be within the remaining levels of becoming a member of NATO.

“We think that the eastern flank really has to be strengthened,” stated committee chair Ali Ehsassi.

Canada was the primary NATO ally to approve Sweden and Finland’s bids to affix the group, doing so by a unanimous vote in Parliament. The nations utilized to affix the army alliance simply months after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine one yr in the past.

Their bids have stalled as they await approval from two holdout nations: Hungary and Turkey.

The committee members made a cease in Brussels to talk with NATO officers there concerning the significance of extending membership to the 2 nations and to reiterate Canada’s staunch assist.

Canada signed an settlement with Latvia in June to guide a NATO battlegroup within the nation as a complicated ahead presence alongside the Russian border.

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Ehsassi stated additional requests to Canada from NATO are an “ongoing discussion.”

“We’re doing a superb job in Latvia, but we need to examine more ways in which we can assist,” he stated.

The committee has already printed one interim report on the findings of their research of the warfare in Ukraine, however Ehsassi stated it is vital for members to journey overseas to talk to worldwide allies.

The committee was invited by their counterparts in Ukraine to go to the nation itself, however the request didn’t get the inexperienced gentle from the liaison committee – the parliamentary physique answerable for approving the price range for the journey – due to safety considerations.

“There’s no substitute for being on the ground, listening to Ukrainian parliamentarians, having those discussions,” stated Ehsassi, who already made a private journey to the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv earlier this yr.

The committee can be learning Canadian support to Ukraine and maintaining with worldwide greatest practices to assist the embattled nation.

The remaining report will deliver collectively a number of components of Canada’s function within the battle, together with monetary, army and humanitarian support.

“We’ve had the opportunity to visit shelters, we’ve had the opportunity to meet with NGOs on the ground who are providing assistance, we are meeting with individuals who are operating in Ukraine itself,” Ehsassi stated.

“I think it’s really, really important that we remain on top of developments in Ukraine, and that we’re up to date as to where some of those gaps are.”

Members from varied political events on the committee put emphasis on totally different measures, however Ehsassi stated all are united on the significance of sustaining staunch assist for Ukraine in opposition to the Russian invasion.

“As I like to put it, our differences come to an end at the water’s edge when it comes to the issue of Ukraine,” he stated. “We’re all very much focused and very much committed to helping as best we can.”

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