Carney pledges $4.3B for Ukraine, adds sanctions condemning Russian ‘barbarism’

Prime Minister Mark Carney made a significant announcement on Tuesday at the G7 summit in Alberta, where he pledged billions in support for Ukraine and tougher sanctions against Russia. This comes after Russia’s deadliest attack on Kyiv this year, which left over a dozen people dead.

Standing alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Carney unveiled a new $2-billion package to provide helicopters, drones, ammunition, and armored vehicles to Ukraine. Additionally, Canada will lend $2.3 billion to aid in the reconstruction of Ukraine’s infrastructure and public systems. The loan will be repaid through interest charged on Russian assets frozen in Europe.

In response to Russia’s “barbarism,” Carney also announced a series of sanctions targeting Russian individuals, entities contributing to the evasion of sanctions, and 200 vessels from Russia’s “shadow fleet” used to circumvent sanctions on Russian oil.

Despite Zelenskyy’s presence at the summit, the G7 leaders refrained from issuing a joint statement on Ukraine due to a disagreement over the final wording. A senior Canadian government source revealed that the U.S. was hesitant to include strong language against Russia, fearing it would jeopardize ongoing negotiations to end the conflict.

The recent Russian strike in Kyiv prompted Carney to condemn Russia’s actions, emphasizing the importance of standing in solidarity with Ukraine. Zelenskyy expressed gratitude for the support and called for peace negotiations and an unconditional ceasefire.

While Zelenskyy had hoped to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump to advocate for harsher sanctions, Trump left the summit early to address the escalating conflict in the Middle East. This departure disappointed other leaders who had hoped to engage with Trump on key issues.

In a separate meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Carney aimed to strengthen ties with the global economic power. The meeting raised eyebrows given the RCMP’s allegations against Indian agents orchestrating violence on Canadian soil.

Overall, the G7 summit highlighted the importance of international cooperation and support for Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression. Carney’s announcements underscored Canada’s commitment to standing with Ukraine and holding Russia accountable for its actions.