Zelenskyy Secures Canadian Air-Defense Support

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited Canada with First Lady Olena Zelenska to seek support as Russia intensified missile and drone attacks and Ukraine faced air-defense shortages ahead of winter. Canada announced C$350 million (US$260 million) for Ukraine’s air defenses, while Zelenskyy said Ottawa would also assist the energy sector. Prime Minister Mark Carney pledged continued support for Ukraine’s defense, recovery and reconstruction, backed its aspirations to join NATO and the European Union, and said Canada would help rebuild the country after the war. Zelenskyy and Carney met in Calgary before traveling to Banff for a federal cabinet forum, where Zelenskyy addressed defense, economic, energy and humanitarian issues; Ukrainian Canadians also gathered to express solidarity. Ottawa says it has committed more than C$25.5 billion in aid to Ukraine since Russia’s full-scale invasion, including C$8.5 billion in military assistance. The Canada visit followed Zelenskyy’s trip to Norway for the farewell ceremony and burial of King Harald V, where he discussed military and civilian assistance with Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, including air defense, funding, Patriot missiles and the FREYJA anti-ballistic missile program.