Zelenskyy meeting with Carney in Halifax before Ukraine president’s talks with Trump in Florida
CBC
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is meeting with Prime Minister Mark Carney in Halifax on Saturday during a stopover before heading to the U.S. to meet with President Donald Trump for talks aimed at ending the Russia-Ukraine war.
"Under President Zelenskyy's leadership, we have the conditions, the possibility of a just and lasting peace," Carney told reporters before he and Zelenskyy left for their bilateral meeting.
The prime minister also announced an additional $2.5 billion of economic aid for Ukraine, which he said will help the embattled country unlock financing from the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. CBC News is awaiting more details about the announcement.
Zelenskyy's Canadian visit comes after he spoke with Carney by phone on Friday. The Prime Minister’s Office released an advisory early Saturday confirming the meeting, which began at about 1 p.m. AT.
The wartime leader said in a statement that he updated the prime minister "on the status of our diplomatic efforts with the United States" to bring the war in Ukraine to an end after Russia's invasion on Feb. 24, 2022.
Zelenskyy is set to discuss a 20-point plan for peace with Trump, likely at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Fla., on Sunday.
"In the coming days, much can be accomplished both bilaterally between Ukraine and the United States, as well as with our Coalition of the Willing partners," Zelenskyy said, referring to the 35-nation group of Ukraine-friendly countries that includes Canada.
"It is critical that we jointly and constructively bolster Ukraine’s ability to protect life, reinforce our front-line positions and enhance the effectiveness of the negotiation process. Right now, it is Russia that is dragging its feet and trying to waste time."
According to a readout of the call from the PMO, Carney commended Zelenskyy for his "continued efforts to secure a just and lasting peace for the people of Ukraine, and the courage of the Ukrainian people as they face another winter of Russian aggression."
"The prime minister affirmed Canada’s commitment to Ukraine throughout these negotiations and emphasized the need to maintain pressure on Russia to negotiate," the PMO said in a statement on Friday.
Zelenskyy told reporters in Kyiv that he and Trump will discuss security guarantees for Ukraine during Sunday’s talks.
An "economic agreement" will also be discussed, Zelenskyy said, adding that he was unable to confirm "whether anything will be finalized by the end."
The Ukrainian side will also raise "territorial issues," he said.
Moscow has insisted that Ukraine relinquish the remaining territory it still holds in the Donbas — an ultimatum that Ukraine has rejected. Russia has captured most of Luhansk and about 70 per cent of Donetsk — the two areas that make up the Donbas.
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