Ottawa, 23 September 2023 (TDI): The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy held an important meeting with the Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau on September 22, in Ottawa during his working visit to Canada.
The visit by the Ukrainian President to Ottawa encompassed multiple important engagements including negotiations with Prime Minister Trudeau, meeting with Canadian business representatives, meeting with Canadian Cabinet Members, and addressing the joint session of the Canadian Parliament.
Following holding an important meeting with Prime Minister Trudeau on September 22, the Ukrainian President and Prime Minister Trudeau briefed the media representatives on the new agreements held between the two countries.
During the media briefing, the President of Ukraine thanked the Canadian Prime Minister and his government for its support during the Ukraine-Russia crisis.
The Ukrainian President acknowledged that at the beginning of the invasion, Canada had provided Ukraine with over 8 billion Canadian dollars in aid and trained almost 40,000 Ukrainian military personnel as part of Operation UNIFIER.
At the media briefing, it was highlighted that during the meeting, both parties discussed the defense cooperation between Canada and Ukraine.
In this regard, the Ukrainian President stated, “I appreciate Canada’s decision to join F-16 pilot training. I thanked the Prime Minister for his government’s decision to purchase a new batch of missiles for Ukraine’s air defense systems,” he added.
Furthermore, at the briefing, it was highlighted that Ukraine today received a new package of defense support from Canada, which includes armored combat vehicles and armored evacuation vehicles necessary to save the lives of wounded servicemen.
Also, the cooperation between Ukraine and Canada in the field of military industry, in particular joint production of weapons, was discussed during the meeting.
“We look forward to the participation of Canadian companies in the first Defense Industries Forum, which will be held in Ukraine soon,” said the Ukrainian President at the briefing.
In addition, the parties discussed various aspects of the Ukrainian Peace Formula, where the Ukrainian President thanked Canada for supporting the work on organizing the Global Peace Summit.
Canadian Prime Minister announced military aid
The Canadian Prime Minister on his part announced the allocation of 650 million Canadian dollars in military aid to Ukraine over the next three years.
Prime Minister Trudeau confirmed that Canada would provide instructors to train pilots on the F-16, as well as help with tank maintenance.
In addition, 35 drones with high-precision cameras, armored vehicles, and ammunition will be transferred to Ukraine.
Prime Minister Trudeau also confirmed that Canada will make a financial contribution to the creation of a consortium for the transfer of military equipment to Ukraine and will provide significant macroeconomic assistance to our country in the 2024 fiscal year.
The Canadian side also stated to continue sanctions pressure on Russia, so that it could not increase the financing of aggression.
Free Trade Agreement between Canada and Ukraine
At the media briefing, the Ukrainian President also notified of the signing of a renewed Free Trade Agreement between the two countries.
The document will help create a new favorable climate for economic relations between the two countries.
The agreement will support the development of trade in goods and services, investments, development of its key industries, the implementation of systemic reforms, and the improvement of the general welfare of the population.
Also read: Canada-Ukraine initiate bilateral security talks
Also, in the presence of Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Justin Trudeau, a Memorandum on cooperation between Ukrainian “Ukrhydroenergo” and Canadian “AECON Construction Global Services Incorporated” regarding cooperation in the construction of hydroelectric power plants in Ukraine was signed.
The memorandum was signed by the General Director of Ukrhydroenergo Ihor Syrota and the founder and chairman of AECON Group Incorporated John M. Beck.
