Canada pledges air defense and drone support as Zelenskyy visits
During a visit to Calgary, Canadian PM Mark Carney announced new air defense, drone and energy support for Ukraine, and the two countries signed an agreement toward a long-term partnership.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney hosted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Calgary, Alberta, on Thursday, pledging to deepen ties between the two nations. Carney, who grew up in the province among a large community of Ukrainian heritage, told Zelenskyy that "Canada will always be with you."
The two leaders signed an agreement to work toward what they called a "hundred-year partnership," with details to be negotiated in the coming months covering defense, critical minerals and energy cooperation. Carney noted the countries' ties date back to 1893, when a wave of Ukrainian migrants arrived in Canada. Alberta is now home to an estimated 350,000 Canadians of Ukrainian descent.
New financial support
Canada announced C$350m (about US$253m) in support channeled through the US-led Jumpstart program, aimed at boosting Ukraine's air defenses and replenishing drone stocks — a priority Zelenskyy has stressed as Russia escalates ballistic missile attacks.
Carney also offered C$450m in loan guarantees to support Ukraine's energy system, with funds going toward repairing damaged infrastructure, increasing storage capacity and improving power supply to hospitals, aiming to help Ukrainians get through winter amid the country's recurring blackouts.
Additionally, Carney said Canada is ramping up its own drone production, with 30% of new output to be sent to Ukraine. Zelenskyy said these drones would go directly to the battlefield to protect Ukrainian soldiers and civilians.
Asked about the prospects for negotiations to end the war, Zelenskyy said he did not expect substantive talks during Russia's ongoing election period, but confirmed plans to meet President Donald Trump in New York in late September, likely around the UN General Assembly. After Calgary, Zelenskyy was set to travel to Banff to address a cabinet retreat for Carney's government, followed by stops in Toronto and North Bay, Ontario.
