Canadian Prime Minister Carney Visits Ukraine, Open to Sending Peacekeepers
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, during a visit to Ukraine, expressed strong support for the country’s push to secure firm international security commitments as part of any future peace agreement. He stated that Canada would consider deploying peacekeeping troops under such an arrangement.
Over three years into the full-scale conflict initiated by Russia, international discussions continue around establishing post-war security frameworks for Ukraine. Former U.S. President Donald Trump has taken a leading role in current peace efforts, and Ukraine remains in close coordination with its European partners to draft potential security structures. Trump has indicated a willingness to consider such frameworks.
This trip marked Carney’s first to Ukraine since assuming office in March. He participated in a public ceremony in central Kyiv alongside President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to celebrate Ukraine’s Independence Day. Trump’s special envoy to Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, also attended the event.
Speaking at the ceremony in Kyiv’s historic Sophia Square, Zelenskiy emphasized the importance of achieving lasting peace: “We are working to ensure that this war ends with real peace, so future generations do not inherit conflict or its threat.”
Zelenskiy has previously emphasized the need for strong security guarantees, aiming for commitments that mirror NATO’s Article 5, which treats an attack on one member as an attack on all.
Carney expressed agreement with Ukraine’s desire for broader international involvement. “It is not sufficient to rely solely on Ukraine’s military strength for its long-term security. That strength must be supported and enhanced,” he said during a joint press conference with Zelenskiy.
In addition to political discussions, the leaders signed an agreement to co-produce drones, and Carney announced that Ukraine would receive over 1 billion Canadian dollars (about $723 million USD) in military assistance next month from a previously approved package.
“We Need Peace”
During the ceremony, Zelenskiy awarded Kellogg a state honor, emphasizing Ukraine’s need for peace during the presentation.
Kellogg later met with Ukrainian Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko. Their discussion reportedly included the Ukraine-U.S. critical minerals agreement and ongoing talks about security guarantees.
At the joint press conference, Zelenskiy addressed a recent news report suggesting the U.S. had been quietly restricting Ukraine’s use of long-range ATACMS missiles on Russian territory. He responded by noting that Ukraine has increasingly used its own domestically developed long-range weapons for strikes inside Russia and that these actions have not required prior consultation with Washington.
Recent Ukrainian attacks have reportedly targeted an oil refinery in Russia’s Samara region and a gas facility in Ust-Luga, a key Russian energy export hub.
