April 23, 2014 - 12:13 PM
OTTAWA - Prime Minister Stephen Harper says Canada will send up to 500 people to monitor Ukraine's presidential election next month.
He says the Canadian delegation will include up to 338 people in an election observation mission.
Another group of up to 150 observers and 12 parliamentarians will be sent to join a election-monitoring mission from the Organization for Security Co-operation in Europe.
The election is scheduled for May 25 and comes amid growing concerns about separatist tensions in the eastern part of the country.
Russia officially annexed Crimea last month and there are concerns it may have its sights on more of the country.
Harper has taken a hard line against Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying his regime is a threat to world peace.
Canada has imposed a number of political and economic sanctions against Russia.
It has also pledged support for efforts to stabilize the Ukrainian economy.
News from © The Canadian Press, 2014