Prime Minister Mark Carney announced billions in supportΒ forΒ Ukraine and tougher sanctions againstΒ RussiaΒ Tuesday as heΒ condemnedΒ Russia’s “barbarism” following its deadliest attackΒ this yearΒ on Kyiv.Β
Standing next to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, ahead of a sideline meeting on the final day of the G7 summit in Alberta, Carney said the package would fund helicopters, drones andΒ ammunition. His office said money is going towardΒ armoured vehicles as well.Β
Canada is also lending the war-torn countryΒ $2.3-billion to to help rebuild its infrastructure and public systems. The Prime Minister’s OfficeΒ said the loan will be repaid by interest charged on Russian assets frozen in Europe.
Canada is also promisingΒ a suite ofΒ sanctions targeting Russian individuals,Β entities contributing to the evasion of sanctions and 200 vessels, part of what is often calledΒ Russia’sΒ “shadow fleet.” The aging tankers are used toΒ evadeΒ oil price cap sanctions.
Barrage of missile, drone strikes targets Kyiv
The funding follows a deadly night in Ukraine’s capital during whichΒ a barrage of Russian missile and drone strikes hit Kyiv, killing at least a dozen peopleΒ and injuring more than 100.
“I would like to start with condemning in the strongest terms the latest outrage, barbarism from Russia,” Carney said.Β “This underscores the importance of standing in total solidarity with Ukraine, with the Ukrainian people.”
ZelenskyyΒ offered condolences to the families of the victims as he thanked Carney for the support.Β
“It’s a big tragedy for us and we need support from our allies,” he said.
“We are ready for the peace negotiations, unconditional ceasefire. I think it’s very important, but for this we need pressure.”
The wartime leader is joining the remaining G7 leaders Tuesday, looking for a way to endΒ Russia’s bloody invasion.
Zelenskyy had hoped to meet one-on-one with U.S. President Donald Trump to push for harsher sanctions against Russia, but theΒ remaining six leaders at the G7 are forging ahead after he left the summit MondayΒ night.Β
Trump touched down in KananaskisΒ Sunday night and was expected to remain until Tuesday for meetings with other global leaders. ButΒ the president left after Monday’s family dinner to deal with the escalating war between Israel and Iran.
“I have to be back early. I loved it. I tell you, I loved it. And I think we got a lot done,” Trump told reporters.
“We had just a really great relationship with everybody. It was really nice. I wish I could stay for tomorrow, but they understandΒ βΒ this is big stuff.”
Trump’s departure means he missed time with the non-G7 leaders attending the summit, including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum.
The summit has pivoted to address the Middle East crisis,Β which continues to escalateΒ as Israel pushes to end Iran’s nuclear program.
Speaking to reporters from Air Force One after leaving Canada, Trump said he was looking for a “real end, not a ceasefire,”Β predictingΒ that Israel would not be easing its attacks on Iran.
“Remember, Iran cannot have a nuclear weapons program,” he said.
U.S. President Donald Trump, speaking to reporters on Air Force One as he returned ahead of schedule from the G7 summit in Canada, reiterated his position that Iran cannot be allowed to have nuclear weapons and took questions about the conflict.
Carney, chair of this year’s summit in Alberta, said he “fully understands” why Trump made an early exit and is “grateful for the president’s presence.”
The G7 leaders released a joint statement late Monday night, calling for a “de-escalation” ofΒ hostilities in the Middle East.
The joint statement from the group β made up ofΒ Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the U.K. and the U.S.Β along with the European Union βΒ affirms Israel’s right to defend itself andΒ recognizes Iran as “the principal source of regional instabilityΒ and terror” but also calls for some sort of “resolution.”
“We urge that the resolution of the Iranian crisis leads to a broader de-escalation of hostilities in the Middle East, including a ceasefire in Gaza,” read the statement, made public after Monday’s working dinner.
Zelenskyy,Β Sheinbaum meeting G7 leadersΒ Β
Trump’sΒ departure is likely a letdown for the leaders who travelled for the second day of meetings in Kananaskis and hoped to bend Trump’s ear.
Sheinbaum made it clear she was making the trip in hopes of meeting with the president to talk tariffs.
Zelenskyy has been seekingΒ Trump’s support in securing a peace deal with Russia.Β
At the family photo of G7 leaders, U.S. President Donald Trump says he wishes he could stay, but he has to return to the U.S. early. The White House announced earlier Monday that he had to leave to deal with the crisis in the Middle East. Prime Minister Mark Carney said he understands the president’s decision to leave early.
Carney’s firstΒ meeting was withΒ NATO Secretary General MarkΒ Rutte,Β whom Carney called “one of the most experienced leaders in the world.” In front of the cameras,Β Rutte heaped praise on the federal government for recently promising toΒ meet NATO’s military spending guideline by early next year.
The two will soon see each other again at next week’s NATO summit.
Carney is expected to meet with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi as he tests renewing ties with the global economic power. The controversial meeting comes just months after the RCMP accused Indian agents of orchestrating a campaign of violence on Canadian soil, including actsΒ of murder, extortion and coercion.
Nearly two years ago, then prime minister Justin Trudeau announced Canada had evidence linking Indian agents to theΒ Hardeep Singh NijjarΒ killing.
Other invitees at the table Tuesday include Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Brazilian President Luiz InΓ‘cio Lula da Silva, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa (this year’s G20 chair), South Korean President Lee Jae-myung, United Arab Emirates President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and World Bank President Ajay Banga.
About The Author
