Ottawa/Kyiv (Rajeev Sharma) — Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said on Tuesday that Russian President Vladimir Putin is afraid to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to discuss an end to the ongoing war.
Speaking at a press conference on August 27, Carney remarked that Putin “keeps setting conditions and delaying because he fears this meeting.” He noted that Zelenskyy is prepared to hold talks with Putin “on any neutral territory,” making clear that Ukraine’s president does not expect Putin to travel to Kyiv and has no plans to visit Moscow for such a meeting.
Carney stressed that continued international support for Ukraine remains vital until dialogue is possible. “It is crucial that allies stand firm with Ukraine,” he said.
The statement follows Carney’s visit to Kyiv on August 24, during Ukraine’s 34th Independence Day celebrations, where he announced a $1.5 billion Canadian military assistance package set to be delivered in September.
During the visit, Ukraine and Canada also signed an agreement to expand joint defense production, including the development of drones and counter-drone systems, underscoring their growing strategic partnership.
PM Mark Carney Says Putin Afraid to Meet Zelenskyy, Reaffirms Canada’s Support for Ukraine
