August 23, 2025
Ottawa, Ontario
Today, the Prime Minister, Mark Carney, announced that he will travel to Poland, Germany, and Latvia, from August 25 to 27, 2025. He will be focused on strengthening relationships with European allies and advancing co-operation in key areas, including trade, energy, critical minerals, and collective defence.
In Warsaw, Prime Minister Carney will meet with Polish counterparts to advance the strategic partnership between Canada and Poland and deepen collaboration on commerce, energy, and defence. To that end, the Prime Minister will meet with business leaders to promote new industrial partnerships in key sectors, including energy, defence, and aerospace. Prime Minister Carney will also underscore Canada’s continued support for lasting peace in Ukraine and Europe, emphasizing that no decisions about Ukraine should be taken without Ukraine and no decisions about Europe be taken without Europe.
In Berlin, the Prime Minister will meet with the Chancellor of Germany, Friedrich Merz, to promote stronger economic co-operation and address pressing global security challenges. Prime Minister Carney will also meet with senior corporate leaders to encourage new investment opportunities and secure resilient supply chains in energy and natural resources – especially critical minerals.
The Prime Minister will then travel to Riga, where he will meet with Latvian leaders to strengthen the bilateral relationship between Latvia and Canada, and to enhance trade, including in the defence sector. The Prime Minister will also visit Canadian Armed Forces members deployed as part of Operation REASSURANCE, Canada’s largest active overseas military mission.
Quote
“As the world becomes more dangerous and divided, Canada is focused on strengthening and diversifying its international partnerships. Canada is deepening co-operation on trade, energy, and defence with our long-standing European allies. Together, we will create greater security, stability, and prosperity on both sides of the Atlantic.”
— The Rt. Hon. Mark Carney, Prime Minister of Canada
Quick facts
- This is Prime Minister Carney’s first official visits to Poland, Germany, and Latvia.
- Poland is the fastest growing economy in the European Union.
- Canada and Poland co-operate on the military training of members of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Canada has now trained over 45,000 members of the Ukrainian security forces since 2015 through Operation UNIFIER.
- Germany is a G7 partner, Europe’s biggest economy, and Canada’s largest merchandise export market in the European Union. It’s Canada’s sixth-largest trading partner globally, with two-way merchandise trade totalling $30.5 billion in 2024.
- Canada is the Framework Nation to NATO’s Multinational Brigade Latvia. Approximately 2,000 Canadian Armed Forces members are currently deployed in Latvia as part of Operation REASSURANCE.
Associated links
- Canada-Poland relations
- Canada-Germany relations
- Canada-Latvia relations
- Canada and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization
August 22, 2025
Ottawa, Ontario
Today, the Prime Minister, Mark Carney, announced the following changes in the senior ranks of the public service:
Tushara Williams, currently Deputy Secretary to the Cabinet (Operations), Privy Council Office, becomes Deputy Secretary to the Cabinet (Plans and Consultations), Privy Council Office, effective September 2, 2025.
Eric Costen, currently Associate Deputy Minister of Health, becomes Deputy Secretary to the Cabinet (Operations), Privy Council Office, effective September 2, 2025.
Biographical notes
August 21, 2025
Montréal, Québec
Today, the Prime Minister, Mark Carney, had a productive and wide-ranging conversation with the President of the United States, Donald J. Trump.
The leaders discussed current trade challenges, opportunities, and shared priorities in a new economic and security relationship between Canada and the U.S.
The leaders also discussed how to build on the President’s leadership to support long-term peace and security for Ukraine and Europe.
The leaders agreed to reconvene shortly.
Associated link
August 24, 2025
Kyiv, Ukraine
The international rules-based order, established after the Second World War, is under increasing pressure. At this hinge moment, Ukraine is, once again, at the frontline of the struggle between democracy and authoritarianism.
That is why today, the Prime Minister, Mark Carney, visited Kyiv on the 34th anniversary of Ukraine’s independence. Canada was the first Western country to recognize Ukraine as an independent and sovereign nation. Decades later, Canada remains steadfast in our support for Ukraine.
At the G7 Summit in Kananaskis in June, Canada committed an additional $2 billion in military assistance for Ukraine. Today, Prime Minister Carney announced the Government of Canada is allocating this funding as follows:
- $835 million to procure a range of critical equipment for Ukraine, including armoured vehicles, medical equipment, spare parts, small arms, ammunition, and explosives, as well as additional drone capabilities and other urgently needed equipment and supplies for Ukraine.
- Approximately $680 million (USD $500 million) for the purchase of a NATO Prioritised Ukraine Requirements List package of military equipment sourced from the United States to strengthen Ukraine’s air defence capabilities and provide other urgently needed military assistance.
- $220 million to purchase drone, counter-drone, and electronic warfare capabilities, including investments in joint ventures between Ukrainian and Canadian industry, in line with the Letter of Intent on Canada-Ukraine Joint Production of Defence Material.
- $165 million to support Canada’s ongoing work in Ukraine Defense Contact Group Capability Coalitions, including efforts to source critical capabilities for the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
- $100 million to source ammunition and explosives through the Czech Ammunition Initiative.
The Prime Minister also announced an additional package of over $31 million for humanitarian assistance and investments in initiatives to counter digital attacks and evolving threats to Ukrainian democracy.
Since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, Canada has committed nearly $22 billion in multi-faceted assistance for Ukraine – the highest per capita contribution among G7 countries.
In Kyiv, Prime Minister Carney met with the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the Prime Minister of Ukraine, Yulia Svyrydenko, and Ukrainian Cabinet ministers. They discussed Canada’s work with President Zelenskyy and our partners in the Coalition of the Willing to support Ukraine and advance our shared commitment to peace and security. The leaders agreed that no decisions about Ukraine should be made without Ukraine, and no decisions about Europe should be made without Europe.
As Co-Chair of the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children, Prime Minister Carney also affirmed that Canada will intensify its work with Ukraine, European partners, and the United States to secure the immediate and unconditional return of Ukrainian children.
Quotes
“Ukraine is, once again, at the frontline of the struggle for democracy and freedom. This is a critical moment where allies must step up and lead, and Canada is answering that call. Canada is, has, and always will be a steadfast ally in Ukraine’s relentless pursuit of freedom.”
— The Rt. Hon. Mark Carney, Prime Minister of Canada
“Canada continues to work closely with our allies and partners to ensure Ukraine has the military assistance it needs to defend its sovereignty, protect its people, and fight against Russia’s illegal and unjustifiable war. The contributions announced today are a clear demonstration of our unwavering commitment to Ukraine and the values we all share.”
— The Hon. David J. McGuinty, Minister of National Defence
“Ukraine’s Independence Day is a reminder that freedom, sovereignty, and self-determination are never a given; they must be defended and upheld. Today, and every day, Canada stands with Ukraine. Slava Ukraini.”
— The Hon. Anita Anand, Minister of Foreign Affairs
Quick facts
- This was Prime Minister Carney’s first official visit to Ukraine.
- While in Kyiv, the Prime Minister also announced:
- that Canada is on track to deliver all 50 Canadian-built Armoured Combat Support Vehicles committed in 2023 to support Ukraine’s Armed Forces by the end of this year.
- a customs mutual assistance agreement with Ukraine to prevent and investigate customs violations, smuggling, and trade-related crimes.
- The measures announced today build on other recent announcements, including:
- Disbursing a $2.3 billion loan to Ukraine through the G7 Extraordinary Revenue Acceleration Loans mechanism and contributing an additional $200 million to the World Bank’s Facilitation of Resources to Invest in Strengthening Ukraine Financial Intermediary Fund.
- Imposing sanctions on additional individuals, entities, and vessels that continue to support Russia’s aggression in Ukraine.
- Lowering the price cap for seaborne Russian-origin crude oil to further restrict Russia’s war efforts.
- Today, 1.3 million people of Ukrainian descent call Canada home – the largest Ukrainian diaspora in the Western world.
Related product
Associated links
- Canada-Ukraine relations
- Canada’s response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine
- Sanctions – Russian invasion of Ukraine
- Prime Minister Carney participates in a virtual meeting in support of Ukraine
Kyiv, Ukraine
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.
During their meeting, the two leaders discussed avenues to deepen cooperation in restoring a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace in Ukraine and ensuring security across the Euro-Atlantic region.
The leaders reaffirmed their joint commitment to countering Russian aggression, upholding Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders, including its territorial waters, and strengthening bilateral ties across the security, defense, economic, social, and humanitarian domains.
The leaders called for an immediate, complete, and unconditional ceasefire as a first step toward launching a genuine peace process aligned with the principles of the United Nations Charter. They emphasized the importance of reliable security guarantees for Ukraine as part of any future peace agreement. Canada is actively engaged in the “Coalition of the Willing,” which aims to provide robust security guarantees to prevent renewed aggression.
Both leaders stressed the importance of Ukraine’s continued implementation of reforms necessary for full integration into the European Union and NATO. Canada remains committed to supporting Ukraine’s reform agenda.
Under the 2024 Agreement on Security Cooperation, Canada will continue providing military and technical assistance, including training for the Armed Forces of Ukraine, enhancing professional military education aligned with NATO standards, and supporting humanitarian demining efforts.
The leaders agreed to initiate annual consultations between the foreign affairs and defense ministries of both countries to advance the Security Cooperation Agreement, including the implementation of the Action plan signed during this visit. The first consultations are scheduled to take place before the end of 2025.
Canada and Ukraine committed to joint defense projects, including equipping Ukraine’s Armed Forces. They welcomed the signing of a Letter of Intent between the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence and Canada’s Department of National Defence to co-produce defense materials in both countries.
Canada reaffirmed its support for Ukraine’s budgetary and military needs and pledged to develop new initiatives to bolster Ukraine’s economic resilience.
Both countries expressed interest in expanding bilateral trade and investment, particularly in Ukraine’s recovery, under the Free Trade Agreement that entered into force on July 1, 2024.
Canada and Ukraine will work to mobilize private sector involvement in Ukraine’s reconstruction, leveraging tools such as multilateral development banks and export credit agencies like Export Development Canada. Leaders discussed joint energy projects in hydropower, small modular reactors, and the oil and gas sector, and agreed to deepen cooperation in energy security, including cybersecurity, infrastructure protection, and modern technologies to mitigate hybrid and man-made threats.
A new Agreement on Mutual Administrative Assistance in Customs Matters has been signed, establishing a framework for cooperation between the customs authorities of both countries. This agreement will be instrumental in addressing customs violations amid growing bilateral trade.
Until Russia halts its aggression and engages in peace talks, Canada, in coordination with allies and partners, will intensify pressure through sanctions—targeting Russia’s shadow fleet, lowering the crude oil price cap, tightening financial restrictions, and combating sanctions evasion.
As co-chair of the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children and the Working Group on the Release of Prisoners and Deported Persons, Canada continues to support efforts to release Ukrainian prisoners of war and detained civilians, as well as to return Ukrainian children unlawfully deported by the Russian Federation. Both countries will intensify efforts to hold perpetrators of war crimes accountable. The next plenary session of the Coalition will be convened soon.
Ukraine expressed its appreciation for Canada’s leadership as G7 President in 2025 and reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining active dialogue with the Group of Seven across all levels and formats.
Prime Minister Carney expressed his gratitude for the warm welcome extended by the Ukrainian people, while President Zelenskyy thanked him for his visit to Ukraine.
August 24, 2025
Kyiv, Ukraine
Today, the Prime Minister, Mark Carney, met with the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in Kyiv, Ukraine.
The Prime Minister thanked the President for his hospitality and his leadership at this hinge moment in history. Prime Minister Carney congratulated President Zelenskyy and the people of Ukraine on their Independence Day, acknowledging Ukrainians’ long and consequential fight for sovereignty.
The two leaders discussed Russia’s ongoing war of aggression and welcomed U.S. leadership in working toward an end to the killing. The Prime Minister and the President agreed that just and lasting peace can only exist with robust and credible security guarantees, and that no decisions about Ukraine can be made without Ukraine.
Prime Minister Carney reaffirmed Canada’s unwavering support for Ukraine, drawing on the $2 billion of military assistance announced at the G7 Leaders’ Summit in Kananaskis, Alberta in June. He underscored Canada’s latest measures to support Ukraine, including the financing of a NATO Prioritised Ukraine Requirements List package that will be delivered to Ukraine to strengthen its air defence capabilities and provide other urgently needed military assistance.
The two leaders discussed areas for further co-operation, including enhanced Canadian defence industry production and supporting Ukraine’s recovery and reconstruction.
They also discussed opportunities for Canada to assist Ukraine in its efforts to rehabilitate veterans.
The Prime Minister and the President discussed the situation of Ukrainian children illegally abducted by Russia. Prime Minister Carney reaffirmed Canada’s commitment to continue leading efforts to secure their return to Ukraine, including through its co-leadership of the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children. The two leaders also welcomed U.S. efforts in this area.
The leaders also exchanged views on the strong potential for more co-operation in the development and resilience of Ukraine’s natural resources sector, including liquefied natural gas.
The Prime Minister and the President agreed to remain in close and regular contact
