1 of 2 | Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky shakes hands with New Democratic Party leader Jagmeet Singh (R) as Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (L) looks on in Ottawa on Friday. Photo by Ukrainian Presidential Press Service
Sept. 22 (UPI) — Canada welcomed Volodymyr Zelensky to Ottawa on Friday, where the Ukrainian president was set to address a joint session of Parliament in the afternoon.
Zelensky and his wife, Olena Zelenska, arrived in the Canadian capital shortly after midnight and were greeted on the airport tarmac by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and other government officials.
During his visit to Canada, Zelensky will speak at the national Parliament and accompany Trudeau to Toronto, where they will attempt to encourage Canadian executives to invest in Ukraine’s private sector.
The two leaders also have plans to sign a deal to enhance long-term financial cooperation between the two countries.
Later, they will attend a community event hosted by Ukrainian nationals.
In a statement ahead of Zelensky’s visit, Trudeau reaffirmed Canada’s ongoing military, economic, and humanitarian support for Kyiv. He vowed, “Canada will continue to stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes.”
Trudeau stated that Canada will work with its NATO partners to increase economic pressure on Moscow by imposing sanctions on its oil and gas industries worldwide.
“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,” Trudeau said. “Canada remains unwavering in our support to the people of Ukraine as they fight for their sovereignty and democracy, as well as our shared values like respect for the rule of law, freedom, and self-determination.”
Zelensky’s visit comes just a day after he secured a $128 million arms-assistance deal from the United States, which was finalized during meetings with President Joe Biden and bipartisan lawmakers in Washington.
The funds will provide Ukraine with weapons and equipment from the U.S. Defense stockpile.
Zelensky faced opposition from Congressional Republicans on Capitol Hill, who expressed their resistance to continued funding for the war in Kyiv.
“Where is the accountability on the money we already spent?” House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., told reporters. “What is the plan for victory? I think that’s what the American public wants to know.”
Since the war began in February 2022, NATO allies have provided over $71 billion in military assistance to Ukraine, and the United States has given an additional $35 billion in military support.
Earlier this year, the U.S. delivered $2 billion in defense funds and equipment as part of a new security assistance package to mark the one-year anniversary of the invasion.
Biden has also requested $250 million in emergency energy assistance for Ukraine’s power grid and an additional $300 million in emergency aid to help neighboring Moldova achieve energy independence.
Meanwhile, Canada has provided over $8.9 billion in aid to Ukraine since 2022, including $4.95 billion in direct financial support and over $1.8 billion in military aid, which includes armored vehicles, tanks, ammunition, air defense equipment, and artillery systems. The aid also includes $352.5 million for humanitarian assistance.
Trudeau’s government extended a $2.4 billion loan to Ukraine this year to support its economy during the war. The Canadian Armed Forces have also provided training to Ukrainian troops and assisted in delivering military equipment for over a year.
Canada has also offered sanctuary to more than 175,000 Ukrainian refugees who fled the conflict.
