Canada offers air defense support for Ukraine as Zelenskyy visits

During a visit to Calgary, Alberta, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney hosted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, pledging deepened alliance and significant support for Ukraine. Canada announced it would provide C$350 million for Ukraine's air defense and drone replenishment, and C$450 million in loan guarantees to bolster Ukraine's energy supply, aiming to help the country endure winter. The leaders also signed an agreement to work towards a "hundred-year partnership" encompassing defense, critical minerals, and energy cooperation. Canada will also send 30% of its new drone production to Ukraine. Zelenskyy indicated he would not anticipate substantive peace talks during Russia's election period but planned to meet with Donald Trump in New York in late September.

Canada has announced a C$350 million (US$254 million) aid package for Ukraine to purchase air defence interceptors. Prime Minister Mark Carney made the announcement on Thursday following a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. This initiative comes as Ukraine is experiencing critically low supplies of US-made Patriot interceptors, which are vital for countering Russia's ballistic missile attacks. Carney stated that Ukraine's air defences are crucial, especially as Russia intensifies its aerial assaults targeting civilian areas.