Ukraine President Zelenskyy in Canada to hold bilateral talk

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited Canada from September 21 to 22, 2023 to meet Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. The two leaders will continue to work closely together to strengthen ties.

In Ottawa, Trudeau met with President Zelenskyy to reiterate Canada’s ongoing military, economic, humanitarian, and development support for Ukraine as it continues to defend itself against Russia’s brutal war of aggression. They will participate in a signing ceremony to continue strengthening economic ties between our two countries.

Zelenskyy posted on his official X account, “Arrived in Canada. I look forward to holding talks with

@JustinTrudeau on defense cooperation, the Peace Formula, and other topics. We will sign important bilateral documents that will strengthen our economic ties. I am also going to meet with the Governor General of Canada, address the Parliament, meet with parliamentarians, and the Canadian public, business representatives, opinion leaders, and the Ukrainian community. I am certain this will be a meaningful visit. We are grateful to Canada for its principled leadership and support.”

Arrived in Canada.

I look forward to holding talks with @JustinTrudeau on defense cooperation, the Peace Formula, and other topics.

We will sign important bilateral documents that will strengthen our economic ties.

I am also going to meet with the Governor General of Canada,… pic.twitter.com/oqZvK2QVQN
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) September 22, 2023

Trudeau said, “As I said when I addressed the Ukrainian parliament this June. The Ukrainian people are the tip of the spear that is determining the future of the 21st century. Canada remains unwavering in our support to the people of Ukraine as they fight for their sovereignty and their democracy, as well as our shared values like respect for the rule of law, freedom, and self-determination. I look forward to welcoming Zelenskyy to Canada to continue building on our support for Ukraine and the Ukrainian people as they contend with the effects of Russia’s brutal war of aggression.”

While in Ottawa, Zelenskyy will deliver an address to parliament. The leaders will then travel to Toronto to meet with Canadian business leaders to strengthen private-sector investment in Ukraine’s future. The Prime Minister and the President will then attend an event with Canadians, including the Ukrainian-Canadian community.

President Zelenskyy will be accompanied by the First Lady of Ukraine, Olena Zelenska.

Canada Aid to Ukraine

Since January 2022, Canada has committed more than $8.9 billion in multifaceted support to Ukraine, including $4.95 billion in direct financial support and over $1.8 billion in military aid ranging from Leopard 2 tanks and air defence and artillery systems to armoured vehicles, ammunition, and more.

Budget 2023 extended a $2.4 billion loan to the Government of Ukraine for this year, to support Ukraine’s budgetary needs. Canada has provided the highest per-capita direct financial support to Ukraine in the G7.

In addition, Canada is also providing broader military assistance to Ukraine and supporting our North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Allies. The country has extended Operation UNIFIER to 2026, providing significant capacity for the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) to respond to Ukraine’s urgent training needs.

The country renewed and expanded Operation REASSURANCE, Canada’s largest overseas mission, through which the CAF contributes to NATO’s deterrence and defence measures in Central and Eastern Europe as part of the biggest reinforcement of Alliance collective defence in a generation.

Canada’s military assistance to Ukraine includes eight Leopard 2 main battle tanks and one armoured recovery vehicle, a National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS) with associated munitions, 39 armoured combat support vehicles, anti-tank weapons, small arms, M777 howitzers and associated ammunition, high-resolution drone cameras, satellite communications equipment, and more.

Canada and several European allies have also agreed to establish a joint coalition for the training of the Ukrainian Air Force in operating and maintaining F-16 fighter aircraft.