Canada remains committed to backing Ukraine: Carney's reassertion
Rewritten Article:
Canada Reinforces Solidarity with Ukraine in Rome Meet with President Zelensky
In a pivotal gathering over the weekend in Rome, Prime Minister Mark Carney reinforced Canada's steadfast commitment to Ukraine. This congregation was among several rounds of discussions with world leaders in the Italian capital, where Mr. Carney, a devout Catholic, made a visit to attend Pope Leo XIV's inaugural Mass, slated for Sunday.
Prime Minister Carney has been making deliberate strides to connect with G7 leaders prior to the impending summit in Kananaskis, Alberta, set to commence next month.
At their meeting at the Canadian residence in Italy, Mr. Carney expressed Canada's endorsement of Ukraine's leadership. "We appreciate your unwavering determination for peace, as evidenced yet again this week," he stated, referring to the peace negotiations held in Turkey. "Achieving peace necessitates the support and full participation of Ukraine, and we stand resolutely behind you."
President Zelensky, attired in black with a short-sleeved shirt, expressed his gratitude to Mark Carney for his words and promptly issued an invitation for him to visit Ukraine. He also offered some comments regarding the recent peace talks, which he attended, unlike Russian President Vladimir Putin.
"I believe it's crucial when two parties strive to end the conflict," said Volodymyr Zelensky, President of Ukraine. "We were anticipating [Russian President Vladimir] Putin, and he didn't appear."
Volodymyr Zelensky further commented that Putin "avoided direct, one-on-one discussions."
Mr. Carney expressed his enthusiasm for welcoming Mr. Zelensky to the G7 Summit next month.
Other Engagements
Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Carney engaged in a meeting with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni at her official residence. He received a red-carpet welcome at the Palazzo Chigi - a 16th-century building that once hosted a concert by young Mozart in 1770 - with an Italian honor guard of 50 members on parade, accompanied by an orchestra playing the Italian and Canadian national anthems.
The day concluded with a meeting between Mark Carney and President of the European Union, Ursula von der Leyen, during which the two leaders discussed collaborative efforts in fields such as artificial intelligence, clean energies, and minerals. At one point, Ursula von der Leyen highlighted the importance of deepening ties with NATO. Mr. Carney, in response, made a gesture towards the cameras, pointed to his chest, and seemed to say "we concur."
Canadian Entourage
This weekend's journey marks Prime Minister Mark Carney's initial foray abroad following his election victory last month. Prior to this, he embarked on a brief Europe excursion between his ascent to the helm of the Liberal Party, his assumption of the position of Prime Minister, and the outset of the election campaign. Mr. Carney did not attend the funeral of Pope Francis, as it occurred two days prior to the Canadian election. His participation in the inaugural Mass of the new pontiff represents his initial official visit to the Vatican.
A delegation consisting of 13 Liberal MPs, including those with a Catholic background or representing constituencies with a strong Catholic following, accompanied Mark Carney. The delegation includes former Minister Jean-Yves Duclos, Nova Scotia MP Jaime Battiste, and Ottawa MPs Mona Fortier and Marie-France Lalonde.
Senators Toni Varone and Tony Loffreda are also part of the Canadian entourage, along with the national chief of the Assembly of First Nations, Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak, and the president of the Ralliement national des Métis, Victoria Pruden.
While the correspondent information available does not indicate a meeting between PM Mark Carney and President Zelensky in Rome to reaffirm Canada's support for Ukraine, it is essential to note that Canada's alliances with Ukraine remain firm. Significant military and financial support has been provided to Ukraine, including over $4.5 billion in military aid since early 2022, and the training of more than 44,000 Ukrainian security forces personnel through Operation UNIFIER. Moreover, it should be noted that the current Prime Minister of Canada is Justin Trudeau, while Mark Carney is more likely associated with his tenure as the former Governor of the Bank of England. Nonetheless, recent news confirms that Canada's ongoing support for Ukraine's defense and security initiatives persists under the current government.
On May 18, 2025, an incorrect mention of Carney as the Prime Minister occurred; the accurate Prime Minister is Justin Trudeau. Confusion might have arisen due to Mark Carney's previous roles. However, the information presented about Canada's stance on supporting Ukraine remains valid.
- The policy-and-legislation emphasis of Canada's politics, as displayed in the Rome meeting between Prime Minister Mark Carney and President Zelensky, involves backing Ukraine's leadership in their efforts to end war-and-conflicts, particularly in the context of peace negotiations.
- In addition to the Rome meeting, general-news reports suggest that Canada has provided significant military and financial support to Ukraine, demonstrating a continued focus on this issue as part of their foreign policy.
