Tuesday June 17, 2025 | KANANASKIS, AB [Reporting from VICTORIA, BC]
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
Today Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney met with the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, at the 2025 G7 Leaders’ Summit in Kananaskis, Alberta.
By all accounts it was a positive and constructive meeting at which Canada promised continued funding to Ukraine to help defend itself against the continued invasion by Russia.
Leaving early:
However, Zelenskyy has now left G7 early to head back to Ukraine, skipping some events that were planned for him in Calgary. Also, he had been expecting to meet one-on-one with US President Donald Trump during the G7 but Trump left the G7 Leader’s Summit yesterday (ahead of schedule).
There was a bombing in Ukraine by Russia in the last 24 hours.
As reported by Associated Press, an overnight Russian missile and drone bombardment of Ukraine killed 15 people and injured 156, local officials said Tuesday, with the main barrage demolishing a nine-story Kyiv apartment building in the deadliest attack on the capital this year. At least 14 people were killed as explosions echoed across the Ukrainian capital for almost nine hours, Kyiv City Military Administration head Tymur Tkachenko said, destroying dozens of apartments.
Russia fired more than 440 drones and 32 missiles, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, calling the Kyiv attack “one of the most terrifying strikes” on the capital.
Yesterday US President Donald Trump expressed sympathy for Russia for not being part of the G7 (since 2014) and how badly Putin must feel to be left out. Meanwhile there’s an escalated bombing by Russia in Ukraine.
$2 billion in military support & $2.3 billion loan:
However, today some funding support was issued from Canada to Ukraine.
Prime Minister Carney shared with President Zelenskyy a series of new measures to support Ukraine, including a new major sanctions package targeting Russia’s shadow fleet and energy revenues.
The prime minister’s office (PMO) reports that the additional $2 billion in new military support to Ukraine will include funding for drones, ammunition, and armored vehicles, among other capabilities.
“The newly announced disbursement of a $2.3 billion loan in funding to Ukraine, to help rebuild its infrastructure and public systems,” the news release from the PMO stated.
The expenditure on military will help Canada reach its commitment to NATO to spend 2% of GDP on defence.
Call for ceasefire:
Today Prime Minister Carney reiterated Canada’s call for a 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine, in line with U.S.-led efforts. He affirmed Canada’s support for Ukraine and the leaders agreed on the imperative for a just and lasting peace.
The PMO statement said that Prime Minister Carney and President Zelenskyy agreed to remain in close contact.
===== RELATED:
Carney and Sheinbaum discuss Canada-Mexico economic integration (June 17, 2025)
NEWS SECTION: CANADA-USA | CANADA-NATIONAL | UKRAINE