Ottawa (Rajeev Sharma): Prime Minister Mark Carney took part in a virtual session of the Coalition of the Willing today, joining Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and other international leaders to discuss security, peace, and humanitarian priorities linked to Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine.
The meeting followed yesterday’s high-profile discussions involving U.S. President Donald Trump, European leaders, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, and President Zelenskyy. Leaders highlighted Washington’s willingness to consider security guarantees for Ukraine as a significant step toward ensuring long-term stability across Europe.
Speaking at the session, Prime Minister Carney reiterated Canada’s unwavering commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty. He underscored Ottawa’s support for robust security frameworks developed in direct consultation with Ukraine and emphasized that no decisions about Ukraine or Europe should be made without their participation.
“Canada will continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine,” Carney said, noting that the commitment includes increased diplomatic engagement, sustained military assistance, financial backing, and continued economic pressure on Russia to end its aggression.
As Co-Chair of the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children, Canada also pledged to intensify its efforts to secure the immediate return of children taken from Ukraine during the conflict. Carney welcomed renewed global advocacy on this issue, including the recent appeal by U.S. First Lady Melania Trump urging Russian President Vladimir Putin to prioritize the plight of Ukrainian children in any efforts to halt the war.
The coalition affirmed its determination to maintain unity in the face of Russian aggression, promising further coordination to support Ukraine’s defense and pave the way for lasting peace in Europe.
