Canada's leadership of the multinational NATO forward-based battalion in Latvia is laudable. It's a good initiative, a good idea. The fact that NATO has now put forces into NATO's eastern tier is a big deal. That basically reverses 30 years of post-Cold War drawdown of American, North American and west European forces in NATO, reversed because of Russia's aggression in Ukraine. This is a strong signal and it has increased stability.
First, I applaud Canada's initiative and leadership in this area. Second, I underscore the importance of Canada's military-to-military relationship with Ukraine. Putin calculates resistance to his aggression. It's pretty simple: If he sees no resistance, he will “drive the bayonet further”—to steal a quote from Lenin—but if he meets resistance, he will tend to hold himself back. Therefore, I think this is good.
There are other areas in which Canada can work with the west to resist Russia's aggression. My last job in government was sanctions coordinator at the state department, and I had the pleasure of working with the Canadian government during the Obama administration, after the Russian attack on Ukraine. I have to say that Canada's work on sanctions was exemplary. It was a wonderful partner.