A top diplomat said on Tuesday that Ukraine would like Canada to “actively participate” in future security guarantees as part of a long-term peace deal to end the Russian war, as allies began discussing what a plan like this might look like. Prime Minister Mark Carney on Tuesday joined a virtual meeting to discuss next steps for securing peace in Ukraine with European and other international leaders, including those who participated in Monday’s talks with U.S. At the White House, President Donald Trump and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine. NATO military chiefs are set to continue that conversation in a meeting on Wednesday.
“The Prime Minister affirmed Canada’s steadfast commitment to supporting these efforts – reinforced by further diplomatic engagement, continued military and economic pressure on Russia to end its aggression, and close co-ordination with President Zelenskyy on the development of robust and credible security guarantees, as well as further military and financial support for Ukraine,” a readout of Tuesday’s meeting from Carney’s office said.It made no mention of what Canada might specifically contribute to a future security guarantee.
The flurry of diplomacy has given Ukraine hope that Russian hostilities will end after more than three years, provided that the country’s long-term future is secured with assistance from its allies. “I would say that we are cautiously optimistic, but not naive,” Oleh Nikolenko, who serves as Ukraine’s consul general in Toronto, told Global News in an interview.
“There are so many crucial things at stake right now, and everything that is coming out from Russia must be taken with a large grain of salt … but the meetings have been constructive.” In an interview with NBC News, French President Emmanuel Macron stated that it will be “very important” to finalize those details prior to a future trilateral meeting between Trump, Zelenskyy, and Russian President Vladimir Putin “to put Ukraine in a situation to negotiate.” Zelenskyy told reporters in Washington following his meeting with Trump and European leaders about security guarantees for Kyiv. According to a statement released by the White House on Tuesday, preparations are being made for a meeting between Zelenskyy and Putin within the next two weeks. This will be followed by a trilateral meeting with Trump “if necessary,” according to the statement. Macron said the next few days of discussion among the so-called “coalition of the willing” will be focused on “who is willing to do what” to ensure Ukraine’s security, and specifically mentioned Canada among the countries potentially taking part.
Ukraine hopeful Canada will ‘actively’ be part of future security guarantee
