Russia invading Ukraine in ‘slow motion’: Stephen Harper

OTTAWA – Prime Minister Stephen Harper is accusing Russian President Vladimir Putin of mounting a “slow-motion” invasion of Ukraine.

Harper’s latest broadside against the Russian leader came Monday in Ottawa at the start of talks with U.S. Gen. Philip Breedlove, NATO’s supreme commander.

“We are obviously concerned by the continuing escalation of violence in Ukraine, which to me very much appears to be clearly what I would call a slow-motion invasion on the part of the Putin regime,” Harper said as Breedlove nodded his agreement in the prime minister’s Langevin Block office.

Breedlove is embarking on two days of talks with Canadian political and military leaders just as heavy clashes erupt between Ukrainian and pro-Russian forces in Ukraine’s eastern region.

Later Monday, in a speech to diplomats and defence experts at the Canadian War Museum, he warned that the redrawing of borders by force in Europe is no longer a thing of the past.

NATO is not only dealing with the current turmoil, but also preparing in case it spreads, Breedlove said.

“It is clear the events of the last few weeks have served to strengthen the Transatlantic Bond … now we need to be better prepared for next crisis, when it comes,” he said.

Earlier in the day, Breedlove met briefly with Harper, Defence Minister Rob Nicholson and Canada’s military commander, Gen. Tom Lawson.

The meetings were held against a backdrop of escalating violence in Ukraine, where the country’s elite troops have been dispatched to quell unrest in the key southern port city of Odessa.

Harper called the latest developments “very deeply concerning” and acknowledged NATO has asked for Canada’s support.

When the conflict in Ukraine first erupted, questions about NATO’s relevance in the post-Cold War era evaporated overnight, Breedlove said in his speech.

“Russia’s aggression in Ukraine has caused a paradigm shift,” he said. “In response, NATO must and will adapt to remain credible and relevant.”

Pitched battles between pro-Russian militants and Ukrainian forces are taking place in and around the city Slovyansk, which has been a hotbed of unrest.

Harper said the Department of National Defence has contributed air, naval and army assets to help reassure eastern European allies that they have the support of NATO and Canada.

A Canadian frigate has been dispatched to operate with NATO’s standing task force in the eastern Mediterranean Sea, along with six CF-18 fighters to operate out of a Romanian air base and troops from the 3rd Battalion Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, who will participate in a land exercise in Poland.

They're sending the Princess Pat's? Ruskies beware.

GENERAL ORDER number 453, 23 June 1951 AWARD OF DISTINGUISHED UNIT CITATION, the following units are cited as public evidence of deserved honour and distinction:

3RD BATTALION, ROYAL AUSTRALIAN REGIMENT 2ND BATTALION, PRINCESS PATRICIA'S CANADIAN LIGHT INFANTRY COMPANY A, 72ND HEAVY TANK BATTALION (UNITED STATES)

are cited for extraordinary heroism and outstanding performance of combat duties in action against the armed enemy near Kapyong, Korea, on 24 and 25 April 1951. The enemy had broken through the main line of resistance and penetrated to the area north of Kapyong. The units listed above were deployed to stem the assault. The 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, moved to the right flank of the sector and took up defensive positions north of the Pukham River. The 2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, defended in the vicinity of Hill 677 on the left flank. Company A, 72nd Heavy Tank Battalion, supported all units to the full extent of its capacity and, in addition, kept the main roads open and assisted in evacuating the wounded. Troops from a retreating division passed through the sector which enabled enemy troops to infiltrate with the withdrawing forces. The enemy attacked savagely under the clamor of bugles and trumpets. The forward elements were completely surrounded going through the first day and into the second. Again and again the enemy threw waves of troops at the gallant defenders, and many times succeeded in penetrating the outer defences, but each time the courageous, indomitable, and determined soldiers repulsed the fanatical attacks. Ammunition ran low and there was no time for food. Critical supplies were dropped by air to the encircled troops, and they stood their ground in resolute defiance of the enemy. With serene and indefatigable persistence, the gallant soldiers held their defensive positions and took heavy tolls of the enemy. In some instances when the enemy penetrated the defences, the commanders directed friendly artillery fire on their own positions in repelling the thrusts. Toward the close of 25 April, the enemy breakthrough had been stopped. The seriousness of the breakthrough on the central front had been changed from defeat to victory by the gallant stand of these heroic and courageous soldiers. The 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment; 2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry; and Company A, 72nd Heavy Tank Battalion, displayed such gallantry, determination, and esprit de corps in accomplishing their missions under extremely difficult and hazardous conditions as to set them apart and above other units participating in the campaign, and by their achievements they brought distinguished credit on themselves, their homelands, and all freedom-loving nations.

BY COMMAND OF LIEUTENANT GENERAL VAN FLEET Leven C. Allen Major General U.S. Army Chief of Staff

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.