Canada and Ukraine Sign 100‑Year Partnership, Commit to Drone Collaboration
Prime Minister Mark Carney and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a centennial partnership agreement in Calgary and pledged extensive drone cooperation, including immediate delivery of a portion of
Canada and Ukraine Sign 100‑Year Partnership, Commit to Drone Collaboration Prime Minister Mark Carney and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a centennial partnership agreement in Calgary and pledged extensive drone cooperation, including immediate delivery of a portion of drones to Ukraine. Canada will also launch a national drone marketplace and will support Ukraine's Project Freya air‑defence program. Prime Minister Mark Carney and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a 100‑year partnership agreement in Calgary on Thursday, pledging to deepen ties across defence, security, critical minerals and trade. The agreement, described as a "Comprehensive Strategic Partnership," sets a framework for the next century of cooperation between Canada and Ukraine. Carney emphasized the importance of drones as a new frontier in Canadian‑Ukrainian military support."Drones will be at the forefront," he said, announcing that Canada will launch a national drone marketplace that will enable the Canadian Armed Forces to produce millions of drones in the next two years. He added that Ukrainian drone companies are world leaders and will collaborate with Canadian firms to develop these aircraft, while Ukraine will benefit from Canadian manufacturing and artificial intelligence expertise.In addition to the partnership, the leaders signed a joint defence and security declaration and committed to work together on critical‑mineral supply chains. The decree also includes an immediate delivery of a portion of Canadian drones to Ukraine, a measure designed to strengthen Ukraine's air defence in the face of continued Russian missile activity.Carney reaffirmed Canada's broader military aid to Ukraine, noting that Canada has supplied $8.5 billion in military support and $750 million for recovery and reconstruction since the war began in 2022. He also highlighted Canada's support for Project Freya, Ukraine's pan‑European effort to develop a lower‑cost, high‑volume missile interceptor to counter Russian ballistic attacks. The visit, which began with a secure arrival in Calgary, will continue as Zelenskyy travels to Banff with Carney.There, the president will address a cabinet planning forum, meeting with Canadian ministers to discuss policy and future plans. The dialogue follows the prime minister's ongoing outreach to strengthen ties with the European Union. Canada's role in Europe is growing, as it has been selected as the headquarters for a new Defence, Security and Resilience Bank and is a member of the EU's €150 billion defence financing and procurement initiative.The partnership demonstrates Canada's commitment to Ukraine's sovereignty and to building a resilient, collaborative defence relationship that will endure well beyond the current conflict."Supporting Ukraine is a Canadian national interest," Carney said. "Our partnership will not only protect Ukraine but also reinforce the values of freedom and security that Canadians hold dear. " Zelenskyy echoed the sentiment, stating that the documents signed are not mere paperwork but tangible promises that will shape the future for both nations. The centre‑stage emphasis on drones, air defence, and shared strategic goals signals a robust and forward‑looking agenda for the two countries.The new declaration and drone plan come as Russia has intensified attacks on Kyiv's civilian infrastructure, and Ukraine has requested more air‑defence weapons such as drones and missiles from NATO allies, including Norway and the United Kingdom. Canada's sanctions regime against Russia now exceeds 3,500 measures, reflecting the country's comprehensive approach to supporting Ukraine and safeguarding international security. The partnership agreement adds another layer of depth to Canada's commitment, ensuring continued solidarity and collaborative defence capabilities for the next century.
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