Section: Ottawa Citizen (Canada)
NATO should buy Mistral-class ships bound for Russia, say U.S. lawmakers
Eight US lawmakers are pressing NATO’s new secretary general to purchase French warships currently bound for Russia, Defense News reports. More from the article: France has faced pressure to cancel a transaction that would deliver two Mistral-class amphibious and helicopter carrier ships to Moscow since Russia seized the Crimea region of...
Canadian purchase of French-built Mistral-class warships on the table?
By David Pugliese Defence Watch The Canadian military has emerged as a potential destination for the controversial French-built Mistral-class helicopter carrier ships, built for Russia, the International Business Times is reporting. The possibility of a Canadian solution appeared in French media after French President François Hollande visited...
So much for those Ukraine sanctions – Russia to receive French warships after all
Russia has announced it received an invitation to take delivery of the first of two Mistral-class amphibious ships. RIA news agency reported that the invitation from France called on Russia to take delivery of the first ship on Nov. 14. Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin told RIA that the second vessel would be put in the water the same...
NATO reports unusual spike in Russian military flights
NATO on Wednesday reported an “unusual” spike in Russian military flights over the Black, Baltic and North seas and the Atlantic Ocean during the past two days, according to the Associated Press. More from the Associated Press article: Alliance military spokesman Lt. Col. Jay Janzen that four groups made up of Tu-95 Bear H strategic bombers,...
Billions in federal cash go unspent as Tories mull tax cuts
The federal government held on to more than $7 billion in approved spending last fiscal year at the same time as some departments and agencies struggled with a lack of funds – bringing total “lapsed” spending to more than $18 billion over the last two years. The Conservative government continues to sit on billions of dollars in planned spending...
New Russian ambassador to receive cool welcome
The Conservative government is offering a cool response to Russia’s appointment of a new ambassador to Canada, tempering expectations of a diplomatic breakthrough when the envoy arrives in Ottawa. Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree Friday that removed former ambassador Georgiy Mamedov from the post and installed career...
Security of military personnel at home top of mind following hit-and-run (with video)
Canadian Forces members are being told to “remain vigilant” after a 53-year-old soldier was killed in a hit-and-run near Montreal this week, highlighting fears military personnel could become targets here at home. But while some say security concerns and the need to introduce measures to protect Canadian military personnel represent the new...
Varvara Shmygalova: Ukraine’s new civil society started in Maidan
Why do Ukrainians want greater integration with the European Union? Why do they want to be free of Russian influence? The answer is clear: the Ukrainian people have a natural desire to live in a prosperous country, which is able to guarantee safety, high social standards, economic stability, and freedoms for their citizens. These can only be...
Could sale of French amphibious warship to Russia still proceed?
Despite strong language from the French President François Hollande, Russia has not received formal notification from France suspending or cancelling the $1.53 billion deal for two Mistral-class amphibious warship deal, USNI News reports. More from that article: “We have not received any official refusals,” Russian Industry and Trade Minister...
Canada AWOL on funding, but still relying on AWACS
The Conservative government is defending Canada’s withdrawal from a key NATO airborne surveillance system, even though Canadian fighter jets are benefiting from it in Eastern Europe. Fifteen NATO allies are contributing personnel to the alliance’s airborne early warning program, known as AWACS, which is playing a key role tracking...
