Canada Stands with Ukraine: How Mark Carney’s Visit to Kyiv Cemented a New Level of Partnership
On Sunday, August 24, Kyiv hosted not only the official Independence Day celebrations but also a high-level delegation Prime Minister of Canada Mark Carney arrived in Ukraine. His first official visit took place at a key moment, when the issue of security guarantees and military support is moving from declarations to practical decisions. Alongside Carney, the defense ministers of Sweden, Denmark, Romania, Lithuania, Latvia, and Canada, as well as the UK’s Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, arrived in Kyiv. Keith Kellogg, special envoy of the President of the United States, also attended the ceremony.
On Sofiyska Square, among state delegations and an honor guard, Carney declared:
“It is a great honor for me to stand with you on this day a day of remembrance, pride, and hope. It is especially symbolic to speak these words here on Sofiyska Square a place where Ukraine fought for and celebrated its freedom.”
But the day wasn’t limited to ceremony. A closed meeting between Volodymyr Zelensky and Mark Carney brought concrete results not only political, but also military and economic in scope.
One of the central topics of the talks was Canada’s participation in a system of security guarantees for Ukraine. President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized:
“We must continue to put pressure on Russia in order to end this war with dignity, with guaranteed security, with guaranteed peace. This is only possible thanks to the combined strength of everyone in the world who wants peace and respects international law. The format of direct leader-to-leader dialogue is the most effective path forward.”
Canada, in turn, confirmed its readiness to help shape this architecture on par with European nations.
“We count on the presence of Canadian forces in Ukraine. This is important for us,” Zelensky underlined. In response, Carney did not rule out the possibility of sending Canadian troops to help guarantee Ukraine’s security a significant departure from previously cautious diplomatic language.
Defense Cooperation: A New Level of Specificity
Ukraine and Canada signed an Action Plan to implement the Security Agreement, covering not just political support, but deep military-technical collaboration, including:
- intelligence sharing;
- joint weapons production;
- cooperation in air defense systems;
- Ukrainian troop training;
- cybersecurity and logistics coordination.
President Zelensky thanked Canada for its role in NATO’s PURL program and for its commitment to provide $500 million under this initiative.
In turn, Carney stated:
“We will also allocate over $200 million for joint defense production in our two countries, including advanced drones using Canadian suppliers. And another $165 million to strengthen drone capabilities. We will also provide additional funds for humanitarian aid to support the civilian population affected by this horrific war.”
This announcement is not just another aid package. It marks a shift toward shared defense manufacturing, allowing Ukraine to develop its own defense industry and integrate with Western military supply chains.
Post List
Sanctions Pressure: Canada Expands Its Measures
During the visit, Carney also announced expanded sanctions against Russia. While no specific names or entities were disclosed at the time, the timing directly following high-level negotiations signals that Ottawa remains firmly committed to sustained pressure on the Kremlin.
This comes at a moment when Washington, under the new administration of Donald Trump, is taking a more cautious stance on new sanctions. In this context, Canada’s resolve strengthens the Euro-Atlantic consensus.
President Zelensky also invited Canada to join joint energy initiatives, in particular using Ukrainian underground gas storage facilities for Canadian gas supplies to European markets.
In the coming days, energy ministers from both countries are expected to hold talks on this matter.
This could mark a new stage in strategic cooperation beyond defense and into energy. It’s also an opportunity to support Europe’s energy independence from Russia.
A Measured Stance, A Clear Signal
This visit by Mark Carney was not just a diplomatic gesture for Independence Day. It was a public confirmation of deep trust and of Canada’s readiness not only to support from afar, but to be physically present.
“We count on the presence of Canadian forces in Ukraine. This is important for us,” Zelensky said and the statement did not go unanswered.
While there’s no final decision yet on deploying Canadian forces, the most important message was clear: Canada is ready to be part of Ukraine’s security architecture not just in theory, but in practice.
About the Author
Related posts:
The Game Has Changed: Zelensky’s Berlin Visit Marks a New Phase in the War 
Rustem Umerov Appointed Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council: strategy, negotiations, and technology 
When Some Leave and Others Stay: What the G7 Summit in Canada Truly Revealed 
The Oval Office Map: What It Signals for Ukraine’s Talks and Security Guarantees
