Canada declared a significant strengthening of its policy towards Russia and confirmed its intention to provide Kyiv with extensive aid amidst growing international pressure
This important statement was made by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney during an informal meeting with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the sidelines of the G7 summit. According to the head of the Canadian government, the country is implementing a new package of sanctions against Moscow while simultaneously increasing military support for Ukraine, which is already becoming one of Canada's key lines of foreign policy in this conflict. One of the main news items was the announcement of sanctions against over 40 individuals and legal entities in Russia and beyond, who, according to the Prime Minister, are seeking to circumvent existing restrictions. Carney emphasized that these persons and companies operate in sectors related to the supply of sanctioned goods and technologies, enabling Moscow to sustain military operations in violation of international agreements. In addition, Canada is imposing sanctions on more than 200 "shadow fleet" vessels, which Russian ships are once again using to bypass blockade measures, complicating Russia’s ability to operate at sea. Regarding military aid, Carney confirmed that the government will allocate nearly $1.5 billion USD to Ukraine in the form of armored vehicles, drones, helicopters, and ammunition. While the Prime Minister did not provide detailed explanations on specific types and contents of this aid, he emphasized that this contribution is one of the largest by Canada in recent times to support Ukraine’s efforts in resisting Russian aggression. Furthermore, Mark Carney announced another important step — the allocation of a new loan tranche for Ukraine totaling over $2 billion USD, which will be formed from frozen Russian assets. According to the Prime Minister, this is a humanitarian and diplomatic initiative aimed at strengthening Ukraine’s financial stability and supporting its economic resilience during the war. The Canadian Prime Minister assured his Ukrainian colleague that support from Canada would remain unchanged, and until a just peace is achieved, Canada will continue to strengthen sanctions and provide military assistance. "We stand with Ukraine, and our efforts are aimed at helping the Ukrainian people endure and regain control over their territories," Carney stated. Regarding special events at the G7 summit, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited Canada intending to discuss current issues related to military and humanitarian support for Ukraine, as well as to raise the issue of countering Russian aggression on the international stage. Unfortunately, the scheduled meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump was canceled, as the former president left the event earlier than planned, adding additional emotional tension to the diplomatic discussions. Nevertheless, Ukraine remains a focus of the international community’s attention, and Canada has expressed its firm support in this fight. Overall, the announced steps by Canada demonstrate a commitment to do everything possible to intensify pressure on Russia and support Ukraine during this difficult period of war. According to diplomats, this strategy will not only contribute to Moscow's isolation but also strengthen alliances of countries opposing aggression and acting in accordance with the values of freedom and international law.