Prime Minister Justin Trudeau lands in London today for a pivotal European defence summit, where leaders are racing to forge a lasting peace for Ukraine as the United States retreats from the stage. With Russia’s invasion now in its third year, the gathering aims to bolster safeguards against further aggression.
Canada’s High Commissioner to the U.K., Ralph Goodale, framed the mission on Saturday: “We’re pushing for ironclad, long-term security commitments so Ukrainians can live in peace—not under the shadow of a menacing neighbor.” Trudeau’s agenda includes a one-on-one with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, followed by an afternoon briefing with Canadian journalists. He’ll head back to Ottawa on Monday.
Stephen Saideman, a Carleton University professor and director of the Canadian Defence and Security Network, sees Trudeau’s trip as a bid to keep Canada in the conversation. “Our top priority is staying relevant,” he said. “This is about standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Europe.” From Berlin, where he’s on a fellowship with the Hertie School, Saideman predicts Trudeau will urge Europeans to resist Trump’s economic arm-twisting and align on countermeasures like tariff retaliation.
“Canada’s still got Europe’s back on security—and we’re hoping Europe feels the same about us,” he added. Saideman envisions Trudeau pitching a retooled North Atlantic framework, ensuring NATO’s reach endures beyond Europe even as Washington wavers. “These aren’t just Europe’s headaches—they’re challenges for the whole Western alliance,” he said.
Friday’s fiery White House clash between Trump and Zelenskyy has cemented for many Europeans that Trump’s “America First” rhetoric is no bluff. “The denial’s over—it’s impossible to ignore what’s unfolding onscreen,” Saideman remarked. He pointed to Trump’s new team—Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, whom he branded “a white supremacist Christian nationalist,” and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, dubbed “a Russian agent”—as proof of an administration bent on clashing with non-authoritarian states.
Today’s summit builds on a wave of post-Friday solidarity with Ukraine from Trudeau and European leaders. “This is about turning words into action,” Saideman said. That could mean tapping frozen Russian assets in Europe to bankroll Ukraine’s fight or weaving the nation tighter into the European fold. He even floated Trudeau rethinking Canada’s F-35 jet deal with U.S. firms in favor of Eurofighters—a shift that could spark legal battles over contracts.
“We’re at a crossroads calling for bold ideas,” Saideman argued. “Canada and Europe need to start seeing the U.S. not as a partner, but as a rival.”