OTTAWA — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is set to meet with Prime Minister Mark Carney and his cabinet Thursday during a previously unannounced two-day visit to Canada.
The Ukrainian president landed in Calgary with his wife Olena Zelenska on Wednesday evening, where he was greeted by Canadian and European dignitaries as well as Foreign Minister Anita Anand.
He will meet with Carney in Calgary and then travel to Banff, Alta., where he is expected to speak to cabinet during its two-day retreat beginning Thursday. The Ukrainian president then plans to travel to Toronto and North Bay before leaving Canada on Friday.
As is usual for Zelenskyy’s travel during his country’s ongoing war against Russia’s invasion in 2022, his visit was kept under wraps until his arrival.
“ Canada has been and remains one of our closest partners. We value all the support from Canadians and the decisions that help Ukraine stand strong and protect our people,” Zelenskyy wrote on social media while announcing his visit.
“ The main focus will be on supporting Ukraine in protecting our skies and preparing for the winter. We will discuss how to strengthen our resilience, support our people, and ensure that Ukraine has the capabilities it needs to defend itself,”
Zelenskyy’s statement suggests he intends to raise the issues of energy and military support — both financial and through the provision of equipment such as drones — with Carney and his government during his tour.
In a separate statement, Carney said the focus of the visit was “deepening defence, economic, and energy cooperation.”
“It will also address the human cost of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and build on the strong people-to-people ties that connect our countries,” Carney said in a statement.
The prime minister and Zelenskyy are expected to jointly address the media just before 1 p.m. ET.
More to come.
National Post
cnardi@postmedia.com
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