Canadian Support for Ukraine Amps Up: A New Wave of Aid and Commitments
"Ukrainian Canadians Praise Zelenskyy's Inclusion at G7 Summit" or "Zelenskyy's Attendance at G7 Summit Sparks Hope among Ukrainian Canadians"
The Ukrainian diaspora in Canada is holding its breath as President Volodymyr Zelenskyy rubs shoulders with world leaders at the G7 Leaders' Summit in Kananaskis, Alberta on June 7, 2025.
Zelenskyy's visit to Canada comes at a crucial time, as new waves of sanctions are being imposed against Russia and pledges for further funding to support Ukraine's defense are announced.
Prime Minister Mark Carney didn't disappoint, revealing a staggering $4.3 billion in support for Ukraine after his meeting with Zelenskyy. The aid package includes $2 billion for military equipment—drones, helicopters, ammunition, armored vehicles (like Coyote and Bison armored vehicles), and electronic warfare anti-jammer kits supplied by Canadian companies—and a further $2 billion for infrastructure recovery.
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"He's a hero; he's our champion," praised Roman Yosyfiv, the head of the Ukrainian Congress in Calgary. Yosyfiv is among the many individuals and delegates scheduled to meet with Zelenskyy later that day, following his meetings with the world leaders.
Yosyfiv points out that this show of support from Canada comes days after one of the deadliest attacks on Kyiv this year.
According to Zelenskyy, 12 people lost their lives, and over 130 were injured when the capital was bombarded with 32 missiles and more than 440 drones.
"It's insane, it has to stop. We need to shout and shout, and the G7, this is our place to make a stand," said Yosyfiv.
Born in Ukraine, Yosyfiv lived in Calgary for 18 years but returned to Ukraine for three years during the 2022 Russian invasion.
"You don't want to hear those stories, for sure. I hid in the basement with my one-and-a-half-year-old daughter during those dark times," he remembers vividly.
Yosyfiv was left disappointed that U.S. President Donald Trump was not part of the meeting or a working breakfast session on ending Russia's war on Ukraine. Trump left ahead of schedule on Monday to deal with the escalating violence in the Middle East.
"He left the summit, one of the most important issues, and then he left," said Yosyfiv. "I don't believe he could have handled this from Kananaskis. Even to make a few decisions or to show respect to these leaders who attended, he could have stayed."
The sentiment is echoed among the Ukrainian community. Lee Reaney, the chief editor of Lviv Times, covering the G7 summit in Banff, says, "What Ukrainians want is to understand how Trump plans to deal with Putin."
Despite Trump's absence, experts believe Zelenskyy received robust backing from the remaining G7 leaders. John Kirton, the director of the G7 Research Group, shares his perspective: "While President Zelenskyy may have hoped for a public commitment from Trump, the unrealistic expectations aside, he'll leave Kananaskis with a lot more money, a lot more arms, and a lot more sanctions against Russia, so he'll be content when he departs."
In short, Canada's ongoing support for Ukraine includes substantial military aid (including new equipment and training programs), sizeable financial loans for reconstruction, and new sanctions against entities associated with the Russian war effort. These measures underline Canada's commitment to aiding Ukraine in the ongoing conflict.
[1] Canada’s Expanded Military Aid Package for Ukraine (CBC News)
[2] Canada Boosts Military Support for Ukraine (DefenseNews)
[3] Canada to Loan Ukraine $2.3 Billion for Infrastructure Recovery (The Globe and Mail)
[4] Canada Boosts Virtual Training Program for Ukrainian Personnel (Global News)
[5] New Sanctions against Russia Announced (Government of Canada)
- The latest news update on politics involves Canada's announcement of a significant $4.3 billion aid package for Ukraine, featuring military equipment like drones, helicopters, and armored vehicles, and funds for infrastructure recovery.
- The push for increased tariffs on Russian goods has gained momentum, coinciding with the ongoing Ukraine-Russia conflict and the latest announcements of new sanctions against Russia.
- Amidst the G7 Leaders' Summit, the discussion around war-and-conflicts, particularly Ukraine's struggle against Russia, has dominated general news headlines, with President Zelenskyy's visit emphasizing global solidarity in this issue.
