Newly appointed Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney seeks to reinforce ties with Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression, outlining his foreign policy focus during discussions with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Quick Takes
- Carney emphasizes the importance of maintaining and strengthening alliances with European partners.
- Meeting with Zelenskyy highlights Canada’s commitment to standing against Russian aggression.
- Carney plans to leverage Canada’s diplomatic strengths in global geopolitics.
- The Prime Minister’s foreign policy mirrors Justin Trudeau’s priorities regarding Ukraine.
Strengthening European Partnerships
Carney, Canada’s 24th prime minister, aims to bolster relationships with European allies. His first official foreign visit includes meetings with French President Emmanuel Macron and British leaders. Carney reiterated Canada’s commitment to Ukraine, aligning closely with the international community’s efforts for peace. He intends to leverage Canada’s diplomatic prowess to address global challenges in collaboration with key partners.
In conversations with Macron, Carney affirmed the importance of strategic partnerships, echoing Macron’s sentiments on sovereignty and fair trade. Both leaders stressed the necessity of reliable allies to uphold international security and economic stability. The discussions also included explorations of mutual support and collaboration in military-industrial developments.
Poilievre on how Canada can support Ukraine "We also think that that the best way to provide a support is by selling Canadian energy, breaking the Russian Monopoly that finances the war."
"Putin has total dominance on the European energy Market because Canada under Justin… pic.twitter.com/QSeuuCfCQf
— cbcwatcher (@cbcwatcher) March 2, 2025
Commitment to Ukraine
Meeting with Zelenskyy, Carney affirmed Canada’s unwavering support for Ukraine amid ongoing Russian hostilities. The commitment reflects a continuation of Justin Trudeau’s policy, which prioritized substantial assistance to Ukraine. Zelenskyy acknowledged Canada’s role in defense cooperation and future reconstruction efforts, highlighting the production of advanced military systems as an area for joint endeavors.
“The Prime Minister made the right points about how we need to step up pressure on Moscow. The shadow fleet, the banking sector. We must impose all-out sanctions on everything that provides Russia with funding for its war,” said Zelenskyy.
Though Carney stopped short of promising all-out sanctions, his stance remains firm on Canada’s commitment to a peaceful resolution in Ukraine. Further highlighting this commitment was his invitation to Zelenskyy to attend the upcoming G7 meeting in Canada.
NEW. Chair’s Statement: Leaders call on Ukraine, 15 March 2025
Prime Minister Keir Starmer's statement as Chair for the Leaders call on Ukraine in London on 15 March 2025.
Today, I hosted a call with counterparts from across Europe, as well as the NATO Secretary General and…— Antonello Guerrera (@antoguerrera) March 15, 2025
Navigating International Relations
Carney’s diplomatic foray into international politics signals an evolution in Canada’s foreign policy. His choice to visit France and the UK before the United States underscores his intention to affirm alliances that go beyond conventional expectations. With ongoing trade tensions involving former U.S. President Trump, Carney’s stance is clear: sovereignty and mutual respect are non-negotiable.
“In the current international context, we want to be able to develop our most strategic projects with our closest, more loyal partners, we are stronger together, better able to ensure the respect of our interests, the full exercise of our sovereignty,” Macron said.
As Carney’s international strategy unfolds, all eyes are on how he will navigate complex geopolitical landscapes, with a focus on strengthening economic and military collaborations. Canadians and allies alike anticipate the fruition of these efforts to solidify Canada’s presence on the world stage.
Sources:
- https://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/article/carney-looks-to-double-down-on-key-european-partnerships-calling-canada-a-strong-partner/
- https://apnews.com/article/canada-carney-prime-minister-paris-trump-macron-40c51bf5b040cfab29032fa974cde581
- https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/3/17/canadas-carney-visits-france-to-seek-reliable-allies-amid-us-disputes
- https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2025/03/17/canada-pm-mark-carney-promises-Zelenskyy-more-support-for-ukraine/