During a surprise visit to Kyiv on Ukraine’s Independence Day for the first time since taking office, Prime Minister Mark Carney on Sunday reaffirmed Canada’s “unwavering commitment” to Ukraine’s fight for peace and sovereignty in its long-drawn war against Russia, news agency Reuters reported.
Standing alongside Carney, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told the dignitaries gathered for the event, “We are all working to ensure that the end of this war would mean the guarantee of peace for Ukraine, so that neither war nor the threat of war are left for our children to inherit.”
Security Guarantees – Potentially with Peacekeepers
Offering strong backing for international security assurances, Carney reportedly said, “In Canada’s judgment, it is not realistic that the only security guarantee could be the strength of the Ukrainian Armed Forces… that needs to be buttressed and reinforced.”
He also indicated that peacekeepers, while not confirmed, remain a possibility if that framework materialises. Meanwhile, a senior Canadian official told reporters, “We are not excluding boots on the ground.”
Ramping Up Military Aid and Co‑operation
In a major development, Carney also confirmed that Ukraine would receive over CAD one billion ($723 million) in military aid next month, as part of a previously announced support package, the report said.
The two leaders also agreed to co-produce drones under a project Zelenskyy called “important and a priority,” alongside agreements on security cooperation and streamlined customs processes.
Trump’s Envoy Takes the Stage
Donald Trump’s special envoy to Ukraine Keith Kellogg was also in Kyiv for the Independence Day events. Zelenskyy presented him with a state honor, while stressing, “We need peace.”
Diplomacy and Urgency
Carney’s latest Ukraine visit doubled as a diplomatic reaffirmation of Canada’s role in the ‘Coalition of the Willing’ — the international effort supporting Ukraine’s long-term stability. Ahead of the trip, the Canadian PM participated in a key virtual meeting and stressed on shared principles: security guarantees, no peace decisions without Ukraine, and continued pressure on Russia, Politico reported.
ALSO READ: Kyiv ‘Hasn’t Lost’: Zelenskyy Vows to Keep Fighting as Ukraine Marks Independence Day
