Canada, Ukraine Sign 100-Year Partnership; Carney Unveils Air-Defence Package
Canada and Ukraine signed a 100-year partnership declaration as Ottawa announced air-defence interceptors, gas loan guarantees and drone support for Kyiv.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a declaration for a 100-year partnership on Thursday, as Ottawa unveiled fresh support for Ukraine's defence and energy needs.
Speaking alongside Zelenskyy, Carney said the two countries had finalised an agreement earlier in the day to deliver air-defence interceptors through a United States jump-start mechanism. He described the equipment package as worth $350 million and said it would help protect Ukraine's people, infrastructure and airspace.
Carney said Russia has been escalating what he called barbaric aerial warfare, indiscriminately targeting civilian populations, and that Ukraine's air defences are increasingly critical.
The partnership declaration covers defence and security, trade and investment, reconstruction, energy, critical minerals and technology. Carney said the two sides would codify a long-term cooperation framework in the coming months, noting that ties between the two nations date back to 1893 and that Ukrainians helped build Canada.
Separately, Canada announced a $254 million package of air-defence interceptors and more than $312 million in loan guarantees to help Ukraine purchase natural gas ahead of winter. Carney also said one-third of drones produced under Canada's expanded domestic drone industry will go to Ukraine.
Zelenskyy thanked Canada for the defence package, saying it would primarily strengthen air defence for Patriot systems and for Ukrainian fighter jets intercepting Russian Shahed drones. He said 21 Ukrainian pilots are currently training in Canada, calling it a significant boost alongside training provided by other countries.
On negotiations, Zelenskyy said he did not expect strong talks during Russia's election period, but anticipated an opportunity to meet the American team in New York at the end of September. He said his national security advisers remain in daily contact with their US counterparts to prepare for a possible trilateral meeting and to discuss what outcome it could produce.