OTTAWA – Prime Minister Mark Carney has expressed that the leadership of U.S. President Donald Trump is "creating the opportunity to end Russia's illegal war in Ukraine." This statement was released on a Saturday, shortly after a notable meeting between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska.
In his statement, Carney commended the U.S. administration's endeavors aimed at concluding the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. He emphasized the necessity of "robust and credible security guarantees" for achieving a durable and equitable peace. Carney welcomed the United States' willingness to offer such guarantees as part of the efforts initiated by the Coalition of the Willing.
Canada, under Carney’s leadership, is closely coordinating its strategies with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and other allies within the Coalition of the Willing to enhance support for Ukraine and ensure its peace and security. Although Zelenskyy did not partake in the Alaska summit, which concluded without yielding any agreements on a ceasefire or a pathway to resolving the war, Carney continues to advocate for Ukraine's sovereignty.
Putin's recent trip to Alaska marked his first visit to the United States in a decade and his first journey to a Western nation since the commencement of Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Following the summit, Trump altered his previous stance and proclaimed that a comprehensive peace agreement—not merely a ceasefire—should be the focal point of efforts to settle the conflict in Ukraine. He pledged to arrange additional meetings, including one with Zelenskyy scheduled at the White House on the ensuing Monday.
In anticipation of this meeting, Zelenskyy noted that he had engaged in a "long and substantive" dialogue with Trump early on Saturday. During their upcoming meeting, they aimed to address the intricate details regarding the cessation of hostilities and finding a resolution to the war. Prime Minister Carney, who participated in discussions with European leaders the previous Wednesday, also spoke directly with Zelenskyy on Monday, reaffirming Canada's commitment to supporting Ukraine.
In his social media communication, Carney highlighted that Canada's international partners are firm in their belief that Ukrainians must be the ones to determine their destiny, which should be supported through diplomatic measures bolstered by military and economic pressure on Russia. This underscores a collective resolve to sustain and amplify support for Ukraine in its ongoing struggle for sovereignty and peace.
This report was originally published on August 16, 2025, by The Canadian Press.
Overall, the developments highlighted by Prime Minister Carney and the interactions between international leaders signal a potential shift in diplomatic efforts towards resolving one of the ongoing geopolitical crises in recent history.
