KYIV — Prime Minister Carney made a surprise visit to Ukraine on Sunday to celebrate the country’s Independence Day, emphasizing Canada’s unwavering support. This marked Carney's first trip to the war-affected nation, where he delivered a speech in Sophia Square alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

"Mr. President, dear friends, my message today is simple: Canada will always stand in solidarity with Ukraine," Carney stated. He added, "We will always be with you, so your many sacrifices lead to the peace, security, and prosperity that all Ukrainians — that all peoples — deserve." Carney highlighted that Ukraine's fight for freedom, democracy, and sovereignty aligns with Canada's values.

Carney departed Canada early Saturday for this trip, which will also include visits to Poland, Germany, and Latvia. He was invited by Zelenskyy as a special guest for the state holiday commemorating 34 years since Ukraine's independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. Carney noted that Canada was the first Western nation to recognize Ukraine's independence under former Prime Minister Brian Mulroney.

Reflecting on his own background, Carney shared, "I grew up on the Canadian prairies where my horizon looked like your flag. Where my classmates bore your names, and their parents and grandparents spoke your language. The Ukrainian people are part of Canada’s story, a story whose best chapters are yet to be written."

During his visit, Carney announced further details of a $2 billion aid package that Canada pledged at the G7 Summit earlier this year. He stated that over $1 billion of this support will be allocated for drones, ammunition, and armored vehicles. An additional $680 million will fund military equipment prioritized by NATO, set to be delivered to Ukraine next month. Carney also mentioned plans for joint production of defense materials, including advanced drones from Canadian suppliers.

His commitment includes tens of millions of dollars for emergency medical and shelter relief, as well as support against digital threats to Ukrainian democracy. Carney and Defence Minister David McGuinty were welcomed at the Kyiv main train station by Canada’s ambassador to Ukraine and other Ukrainian officials.

The visit coincides with intensified efforts to negotiate peace between Ukraine and Russia. Recently, U.S. President Donald Trump hosted discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin and later met with Zelenskyy and other European leaders. Carney praised Trump’s leadership, stating, "I applaud the leadership of the transformative U.S. President Donald Trump in creating the possibilities for peace."

Despite ongoing diplomatic efforts, Russia has continued its military aggression, launching heavy strikes on Ukraine earlier this week. A Canadian government official indicated that Russia is making slow progress in its campaign to reclaim Ukrainian territory, with intelligence suggesting that Russia is losing approximately 1,000 soldiers daily, while Ukraine's losses are estimated at around 500 soldiers per day.

The official noted that Russia has been recruiting soldiers from countries like North Korea to sustain its military efforts, which has led to disorganization and low morale among Russian troops, giving Ukraine a potential advantage.

Canada has been involved in peace negotiations for over two years, which have evolved into the Coalition of the Willing, a group of nations committed to supporting peacekeeping efforts in Ukraine. This coalition includes many European nations, Canada, Japan, and Australia.

Experts assert that Canada has a significant interest in collaborating with Ukraine and other Western nations to counter Russian expansion, particularly in Arctic regions. The Canadian official emphasized the importance of maintaining momentum within the coalition to avoid setbacks experienced in the past.

Security guarantees for Ukraine will largely depend on the United States' involvement. Trump recently stated that there would be no U.S. troops on the ground in Ukraine, but air support and intelligence assistance could be part of future security arrangements.

Canadian soldiers are currently in Europe as part of Operation Unifier, a mission aimed at training Ukrainian forces initiated after Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014. Canada has not ruled out deploying troops to Ukraine, according to the official.

To date, Canada has provided approximately $22 billion in financial support to Ukraine, primarily in loans. An independent estimate suggests this figure may be closer to $19.7 billion. Canada also plays a significant role in humanitarian efforts, including resettling Ukrainian children abducted by Russia, maintaining maternal health services, and detecting and removing landmines.