(Latvian Public Broadcasting) Latvian President Egils Levits gave an address to Canadian thinktank the Macdonald-Laurier Institute (MLI) via videolink April 27 in which he summarised the state of Canadian-Latvian relations, particularly in the context of NATO. Canada’s role in the eFP [enhanced Forward Presence] Battle Group Latvia strengthens the important transatlantic link. But Canada’s contribution goes well beyond that. Of particular importance is Canadian leadership. Through professionalism, tact and dedication Canadians have made this the most integrated Battle Group with 10 different nations participating. In addition, they have taught the Latvian armed forces a great deal – directly and indirectly by example. Therefore, together with our other Allies, we are very interested not just in Canada’s continued contribution to eFP beyond 2023 but in continued Canadian leadership overseen by the important Canadian National Headquarters – Tas
April 9, 2021
By Rick ROZOFF
The DefenderEurope 2021 exercises include estimates of as many as 37,000 troops from at least 27 NATO member and partner states and appear to be based entirely in Eastern Europe, from the Baltic Sea to the Balkans and the Black Sea. Comprehensive figures are not verifiable, but there is every reason to believe this is the largest U.S.-NATO military exercise since the Cod War; and moreover one occurring as Russia and Ukraine, steadfastly backed by the U.S. and NATO, are at loggerheads over renewed fighting in the Donbass region of what was formerly Eastern Ukraine.
NATO’s Allied Command Operations website reports today that the military alliance completed the eight-day Crystal Arrow 2021 exercise which was run by U.S. Army forces in conjunction with two NATO enhanced Forward Presence Battle Groups, from Latvia and Lithuania. (The other two NATO Battle Groups are in Estonia and Poland.)
NATO Prepares for Real-World Fight With Russia in Baltic antiwar.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from antiwar.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.