Ukraine Highlights Canada Ties, Russia Pressure

Ukraine used a series of official engagements on Sept. 12 to highlight international support for the country, efforts to strengthen Ukrainian studies abroad and continued pressure on Russia to enter serious peace negotiations.

During her visit to Canada, First Lady Olena Zelenska met with Canadian philanthropists and partners who have supported Ukrainians since Russia’s full-scale invasion. The discussions focused on humanitarian assistance, reconstruction and investment in the future of Ukrainian children.

Five Canadian educational institutions also signed memorandums to join the Global Coalition of Ukrainian Studies. The agreements were announced in the presence of Zelenska and are intended to expand the study and understanding of Ukraine internationally.

At the Yalta European Strategy meeting in Kyiv, Head of the Office of the President Kyrylo Budanov said battlefield developments, long-range sanctions and other measures would influence Russia’s willingness to negotiate. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy separately argued that sanctions should create pressure from Russian businesses on the country’s leadership to end the war, citing businessmen Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman as examples of figures who should take concrete steps against the conflict.