At the invitation of the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the Prime Minister of Canada, Mark Carney, paid an official visit to Ukraine on August 24, 2025. The visit reaffirmed the strong and enduring partnership between Canada and Ukraine, grounded in shared democratic values, respect for sovereignty and international law, and a mutual understanding that borders must not be altered by force.

I am grateful to Canada for all the support – support that is truly sincere. We also deeply value the special bond between our peoples and cultures: Canada is home to one of the largest and strongest Ukrainian communities – more than one million people.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Olena Zelenska, together with Mark Carney, walked along the Alley of Remembrance for the Fallen Warriors and laid flowers at the Wall of Remembrance.

The clergy prayed for peace, freedom, and prosperity for Ukraine; blessings for the Ukrainian people; the release of captives; the healing of the wounded; and strength and support for Ukraine’s defenders.

We are building a Ukraine strong and powerful enough to live in security and peace. So that here, on this square, on our Independence Square, beneath our flags, on our land, our children and grandchildren will celebrate Independence Day. In peace. In calm. With confidence in the future.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy enacted the decisions of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine regarding the synchronization and introduction of sanctions and signed the corresponding decrees.

The President reaffirmed his readiness for any format of meeting with the head of Russia. However, Moscow is once again attempting to delay the negotiation process. Ukraine expects that countries of the Global South will send appropriate signals and push Russia toward peace.