Ukraine minister dismisses Russian concerns, praises Canada’s military

Ukraine's visiting foreign minister says it's a joke that Russia is characterizing Canadian military trainers in his country as "deplorable."

Foreign Affairs Minister Pavlo Klimkin says the Canadian Forces trainers will bring his country's military forces and national guard up to a higher standard so they can better repel Russian aggressors.

The Russian Embassy has called it both counterproductive and deplorable for Canada to deploy 200 soldiers to improve the combat skills of troops in the Ukraine.

Klimkin says the move can hardly be considered provocative, given that Russia has already compromised Ukraine's border by sending in mercenaries and heavy weaponry.

Defence Minister Jason Kenney has said the Canadian troops will be 1,300 kilometres away from Ukraine's restive eastern regions.

Klimkin is in Ottawa for a meeting with Foreign Affairs Minister Rob Nicholson, who announced seven new projects worth $14-million to strengthen human rights, improve access to justice and give support to civil society in Ukraine.