Today, on Ukraine’s 35^th Independence Day, the Prime Minister, Mark Carney, participated in a virtual meeting of the Coalition of the Willing in support of Ukraine. The meeting was hosted by the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and co-chaired by the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Andy Burnham, the President of France, Emmanuel Macron, and the Chancellor of Germany, Friedrich Merz.

The leaders reaffirmed their solidarity with the Ukrainian people and discussed their shared commitment to maintaining coordinated international support. They discussed ongoing efforts to strengthen Ukraine’s air defence capabilities, bolster its energy security and critical infrastructure, and sustain economic pressure on Russia by continuing to implement and enforce new sanctions, including on Russia’s shadow fleet.

Prime Minister Carney reiterated Canada’s steadfast commitment to Ukraine, including through more than $2 billion in military assistance this year alone. The Prime Minister highlighted Ukraine’s role as a founding member of the Defence, Security and Resilience Bank, which will reinforce long-term defence industrial cooperation among allies and partners.

The leaders underscored the urgent need to help Ukraine protect civilians and critical infrastructure from continued Russian attacks. They also discussed joint measures to strengthen Ukraine’s energy resilience, support essential infrastructure repairs, and ensure access to electricity and heating as part of broader humanitarian needs throughout the winter months.

Canada stands with Ukraine – and will for as long as it takes – to support a just and lasting peace and defend Ukraine’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and independence.

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