PARIS — Prime Minister Mark Carney says Canada plans to continue building its military capacity in the coming years, in part to enable the country to contribute to security guarantees for Ukraine as discussions around a potential ceasefire progress.
Carney is in Paris meeting with international allies to discuss how Canada could help support the enforcement of an eventual ceasefire in Ukraine’s war with Russia.
Speaking at a press conference at the Canadian Embassy, Carney said negotiations on peace and security guarantees for Ukraine are “90 per cent of the way there,” citing comments from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who is also in Paris.
The prime minister said the remaining elements of any peace agreement would need to be negotiated directly by Ukraine, Russia and the United States.
Carney added that Steve Witkoff, the U.S. special envoy for Middle East and peace missions, and Jared Kushner, U.S. President Donald Trump’s son-in-law and former senior adviser, are expected to attend the meeting.
Canada’s role, Carney said, would focus on ensuring it has the military strength and readiness required to support peace and stability efforts alongside allies once an agreement is reached.