Ukraine and Canada agree on 100-year partnership: declaration signed
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney have signed a declaration establishing a 100-year partnership, which sets out the two countries' intention to raise bilateral relations to the level of a comprehensive strategic partnership in various spheres, including defence and assistance to Ukraine's armed forces.
Source: European Pravda, with reference to a joint statement by Carney and Zelenskyy
Details: In the statement, the leaders condemned Russia's war in Ukraine and paid tribute to the courage of the Ukrainian people and their defenders.
Both leaders stressed the importance of continuing reforms in Ukraine on the path to full membership of the European Union and NATO.
"Canada remains a committed partner in supporting these efforts," the statement emphasised.
The statement stressed that Canada will continue to "meet Ukraine's most pressing military needs and sustain Operation UNIFIER, now extended until 2029".
Canada will also continue to strengthen the Armed Forces of Ukraine, paying particular attention to "urgently needed air defence capabilities and interceptors, while continuing to provide training, military equipment, ammunition and other critical military support".
"The two countries will deepen cooperation in the areas of intelligence, cyber defence, counter-drone and electronic disruption capabilities, and in countering hybrid threats and foreign information manipulation. Canada will continue to work with partners on a framework of politically and legally binding security guarantees to prevent any future aggression by the Russian Federation," the statement said.
The statement also notes that Canada and Ukraine will establish a long-term defence industry partnership for the joint production of unmanned systems, counter-drone and electronic jamming systems, as well as ammunition.
In addition, the countries will expand trade and investment under the modernised Free Trade Agreement, promote the development of public-private partnerships and mobilise capital and risk-mitigation solutions needed to support Ukraine's recovery and reconstruction.
Separately, Canada and Ukraine agreed to deepen cooperation in the areas of energy security and critical minerals, industry and sustainable forest resource management, and will strengthen ties between innovators and researchers in the fields of AI, cybersecurity, space, biotechnology and digital governance.
The countries will also cooperate to ensure reliable and safe navigation in the Black Sea, as well as to further disrupt and deter the activities of Russia's shadow fleet.
In addition, Canada has pledged to maintain and intensify economic pressure on Russia.
Background:
- Zelenskyy is on a three-day visit to Canada together with First Lady Olena Zelenska.
- On the same day, Zelenskyy stated that Canada had prepared a new aid package with air defence systems for Ukraine.
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