What to know
- Canada and Ukraine signed a 100 Year Partnership Declaration on Thursday, committing both countries to deeper political, economic and cultural ties.
- Prime Minister Mark Carney reaffirmed Canada’s support for Ukraine as its war with Russia continues, saying the conflict is at a turning point.
- Canada will extend Operation UNIFIER through 2029, continuing military training and support for Ukraine’s Armed Forces.
- The partnership includes plans to expand defence production, trade and investment, while supporting Ukraine’s recovery and reconstruction.
- Canada and Ukraine will also cooperate on energy, critical minerals, technology, cybersecurity, education, sport, health and migration.
Canada and Ukraine governments have signed a 100-year-long partnership, confirming both countries’ political alignment and joint plans for security, defence, and trade.
Prime Minister Mark Carney and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy participated in a signing ceremony on Thursday in Calgary, unveiling the 100 Year Partnership Declaration.
The gesture documents the intention to strengthen the countries’ relationships into a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, which is a high-level diplomatic designation that declares a close political, economic and cultural cooperation between governments.
“Canada and Ukraine are looking beyond this war, to the century ahead. President Zelenskyy and I have just signed a declaration for a 100-year partnership. In the coming months, we’ll co-define a long-time framework for a cooperation across defence and security, trade and investment, re-construction, energy, critical minerals, and technology,” Prime Minister Mark Carney told reporters.
Carney reaffirms war support
Carney also reaffirmed Canada’s support to Ukraine in light of the ongoing conflict with Russia, saying that the war is now at a turning point.
“Canada will always stand in solidarity with Ukraine. Canada will always be with you, so your sacrifices, sacrifices of your people, lead to the peace, security and prosperity that all Ukrainians and all peoples around the world deserve,” he said.
As part of the country’s effort to support Ukraine through the war, Carney said that Canada will extend Operation UNIFIER through 2029. This is a mission by the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) to provide military training to Ukraine’s military forces. In addition, it will continue to support Ukraine’s Armed Forces with military equipment and ammunition.
Also building on a Letter of Intent signed last summer, the leaders announced the two countries will establish a long-term defence partnership to produce systems, counter-drone and electronic disruption capabilities, and ammunition, and establish a Defence, Security and Resilience Bank.
Partnership also includes trade and investment alignment
In addition to defence support, the signed partnership established that both countries will expand their trade and investment, including to mobilize money to invest in the recovery and reconstruction of Ukraine by working with the World Bank, International Monetary Fund (IMF), and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.
“Our two nations have been connected since 1893. This is a relationship that has flourished over a hundred years. And it will flourish in the century ahead, long after this war ends,” Carney said. “Ukrainians helped build Canada, and Canadians will help rebuild Ukraine.”
The countries will also further cooperate on energy security, minerals, and sustainable forest management to strengthen partnerships among researchers and innovations to develop AI, digital governance, cybersecurity, and more.
The leaders reaffirmed a commitment to also unite both countries culturally through cooperation in education, sport, health, and Ukraine heritage conservation. As part of this commitment, the partnership determined both countries will develop a migration and mobility strategy to support Ukraine’s war recovery, including adding the country to the conditional electronic travel authorization (eTA) system.
