Zelenskyy Seeks Stronger Canada Ties

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called for Ukraine and Canada to preserve and strategically deepen their historically close relationship during a meeting with Ukrainian community representatives in Toronto. The meeting coincided with the 135th anniversary of the arrival of the first Ukrainian immigrants in Canada.

Representatives of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress, Ukrainian World Congress, Canada-Ukraine Foundation and other organizations attended the meeting. Zelenskyy highlighted a recently signed agreement establishing a 100-year partnership between the two countries, describing it as a historic step, as well as a new Canadian defense package expected to support the purchase of missiles for Patriot air-defense systems.

The president also said Ukraine and Canada were nearing an agreement on drone production. He cited a demonstration of joint Ukrainian-Canadian manufacturing and said some of the products were already in mass production. Zelenskyy urged continued Canadian advocacy for military aid to Ukraine and stronger sanctions against Russia.

Discussions also covered Ukraine’s European integration and postwar reconstruction. Zelenskyy said Ukraine aims to open all European Union negotiating clusters by the end of 2026 and emphasized the importance of support from Canada and the Ukrainian diaspora. The Ukrainian Canadian community, which the Ukrainian Canadian Congress estimates at more than 1.3 million people, has raised more than C$100 million in humanitarian, financial and material assistance since Russia’s full-scale invasion.