Zelenskyy visits Canada as Ottawa announces new military and energy support for Ukraine

(Horizon Media / OTTAWA) – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is visiting Canada this week for high-level talks focused on air defence, military-industrial cooperation and Ukraine’s preparations for another winter of war.

Zelenskyy and First Lady Olena Zelenska arrived in Calgary on September 9 for a three-day visit that also includes stops in Banff, Toronto and North Bay. The Ukrainian president met Prime Minister Mark Carney in Calgary on Thursday before travelling to Banff to address members of the federal Cabinet during the government’s planning forum.

Following their meeting, Carney announced that Canada would provide $350 million toward additional air-defence capabilities for Ukraine, including badly needed interceptor missiles as Russia continues intensified missile and drone attacks against Ukrainian cities and infrastructure.

The interceptors are expected to be acquired through a U.S.-led procurement mechanism that allows allies to finance American-made weapons for Ukraine. Zelenskyy has repeatedly identified strengthening Ukraine’s air defences, particularly ahead of winter, as one of Kyiv’s most urgent priorities.

Canada also announced close to $435 million in new loan guarantees through the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development to support Ukraine’s energy security, including purchases of natural gas as the country prepares for renewed Russian attacks against its power infrastructure.

Defence-industrial cooperation, particularly drone production, was another major focus of the talks. Carney said Canada plans to substantially expand its domestic drone-manufacturing capacity, with the aim of producing millions of drones over the next two years and directing approximately one-third of that production to Ukraine.

The initiative builds on earlier discussions between Ottawa and Kyiv on closer cooperation between their defence industries and the potential joint development and production of unmanned systems. Canada and Ukraine had already identified drone technology as a priority during meetings between Carney and Zelenskyy earlier this year.

Speaking in Calgary, Zelenskyy welcomed the new support and emphasized that Ukraine must remain militarily strong even as diplomatic efforts continue to seek an end to the war.

The visit comes as Russia has stepped up aerial attacks and Ukraine seeks additional interceptor missiles and other equipment to protect its cities and energy network. Kyiv has warned that Moscow is increasingly targeting civilian infrastructure in an effort to place greater pressure on the population ahead of the colder months.

Carney said the broader visit would also focus on economic and energy cooperation, Ukraine’s reconstruction and the human consequences of Russia’s war. Zelenskyy and Zelenska are scheduled to attend additional events in Ontario before concluding their visit on September 11.

Canada has remained one of Ukraine’s principal international supporters since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022. Ottawa has committed billions of dollars in military, financial and humanitarian assistance while also extending Operation UNIFIER, the Canadian Armed Forces training mission supporting Ukraine, through 2029.