Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy landed in Canada on Tuesday, where Prime Minister Mark Carney made a fresh C$2 billion ($1.47 billion) package of military assistance to aid Ukraine’s war against Russia. The promise comes as Zelenskyy has made an appeal to G7 nations to offer greater support as internal rifts continue to impede collective action on Ukraine and increasing tensions in West Asia.
While Zelenskyy advocated for increased support and new sanctions on Russia, US President Donald Trump departed early from the G7 summit, citing urgent changes in West Asia. His premature departure surprised everybody and contradicted French President Emmanuel Macron’s claim that it was in line with ceasefire efforts between Iran and Israel.
A Russian missile attack on Kyiv last night killed 12 individuals, which Zelenskyy underscored as proof of the pressing need for collective support. “We are prepared to have peace talks and an unconditional ceasefire, but under pressure,” he said. Carney and other leaders of the G7 echoed the use of applying “maximum pressure” against Moscow to pressure it to the negotiating table.
Even as Canada reaffirmed support, Zelenskyy recognized American aid as still central and hoped to negotiate further military assistance with Trump. Major proposals, such as reducing the price of Russian oil, were postponed because the price of oil globally increased.
G7 leaders did issue a communique calling for de-escalation in West Asia and affirming Israel’s right to self-defence, holding Iran responsible for the crisis in the region. In the meantime, Trump supported the return of Russia to the G7, which was endorsed by the Kremlin, downplaying the role of the G7.
Carney invited non-G7 countries such as India, Brazil, and South Africa to expand alliances and reduce dependence on the US, while G7 talks on AI, migration, and critical minerals remain unresolved without US endorsement.