The visit of the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and First Lady Olena Zelenska to Canada on September 9–11, 2026, yielded a number of concrete agreements in the areas of defense, energy, reconstruction, and economic cooperation. Canada announced new funding for Ukraine’s air defense, energy resilience, veteran support, and the return of Ukrainian children. A distinct focus was placed on deepening cooperation in the production of drones and other defense technologies.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and First Lady Olena Zelenska arrived in Canada on September 9. Key negotiations between Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Prime Minister of Canada Mark Carney took place on September 10 in Calgary.
During the meeting, Mark Carney reaffirmed the steadfastness of Canadian support for Ukraine.
“Canada will always stand in solidarity with Ukraine,” the Prime Minister of Canada stated.
Declaration for a 100-Year Partnership
One of the central outcomes of the meeting was the signing by Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Mark Carney of the Canada–Ukraine Declaration for a 100-Year Partnership.
This concerns the very Declaration that lays the groundwork for the future long-term strategic partnership between the two nations.
The document establishes the intent of Canada and Ukraine to develop a comprehensive strategic partnership. It is set to encompass defense and security, economic cooperation, trade and investment, reconstruction, energy, critical minerals, technology, and people-to-people ties between the two countries.
The parties intend to work toward concluding the One-Hundred-Year Partnership Agreement by December 2026.
Speaking on the long-term relationship between the two states, Mark Carney emphasized:
“Ukrainians helped build Canada, and Canadians will help rebuild Ukraine.”
Canada’s Position: Nothing About Ukraine Without Ukraine
During the visit, Canada reaffirmed its support for a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace based on respect for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders.
The joint statement of Canada and Ukraine emphasized:
“Nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine.”
Canada also reaffirmed its support for Ukraine’s European and Euro-Atlantic integration.
The parties paid particular attention to long-term security guarantees and bolstering Ukraine’s defense capabilities.
A New Level of Defense Cooperation
Canada and Ukraine agreed to deepen long-term defense and security cooperation.
It provides for the joint development and production of defense materiel, the exchange of technology and information, and cooperation in the fields of unmanned systems, counter-drone capabilities, cybersecurity, and other modern defense technologies.
Canada also confirmed the extension of the military training mission Operation UNIFIER through 2029.
C$350 Million to Protect Ukrainian Skies
One of the most critical concrete decisions was Canada’s announcement of approximately C$350 million for air defense capabilities essential to Ukraine.
Mark Carney stated:
“This $350 million equipment package will help protect Ukraine’s people, its infrastructure, and its skies.”
The official release from the Government of Canada does not specify the exact types of interceptors that will be procured under this package.
At the same time, following the negotiations, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported that the broader governmental package of agreements exceeds $1 billion and primarily concerns Ukraine’s defense. According to him, this includes Patriot missiles, ammunition for F-16s, and joint Ukrainian-Canadian drone manufacturing.
Total Volume of Agreements Exceeds $2 Billion
According to the President of Ukraine, the total volume of agreements reached during the negotiations in Canada exceeds $2 billion.
Beyond the government defense package, this includes agreements between Ukrainian and Canadian companies, particularly in the energy sector and joint ventures.
Joint Drone Production
One of the central areas of the negotiations was defense-industrial cooperation.
Canada and Ukraine agreed to develop a long-term partnership in the joint production of unmanned systems, counter-drone technologies, and priority munitions.
The initiative aims to combine Ukrainian operational expertise in developing and deploying advanced defense tech with Canadian manufacturing capabilities, software, and artificial intelligence.
Canada is simultaneously expanding its domestic unmanned systems manufacturing capabilities and plans to establish industrial capacity capable of delivering millions of drones over the next two years.
During the visit, a partnership was also announced between Canadian company General Dynamics Mission Systems–Canada and Ukrainian company Green Tech Harvest to develop and manufacture drones and associated technologies.
Speaking on Ukrainian resistance to Russian aggression, Mark Carney stated:
“Ukraine will never yield.”
Nearly C$435 Million in Guarantees for Energy Security
A substantial support package is aimed at preparing Ukraine for the winter and reinforcing its energy grid.
Canada announced nearly C$435 million in new loan guarantees to the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development to support Ukraine’s energy security.
These guarantees are specifically intended to assist with gas procurement for the winter period and to secure backup power generation capacities.
In addition, Canada announced C$200 million in concessional financing through Export Development Canada to support Ukraine’s reconstruction and critical infrastructure.
An additional C10 million will be directed to the Ukraine Energy Support Fund, bringing Canada’s total contribution to this fund to C100 million.
Furthermore, C$2 million is allocated for a joint International Energy Agency program.
Nearly C$23 Million for Ukraine’s Security
Canada also announced nearly C$23 million to strengthen the operational capacities of Ukraine’s security apparatus.
The funding will cover support for the police, the National Guard, military personnel, and frontline communities, as well as measures to counter hybrid threats and disinformation.
Up to C$40.1 Million to Support Ukrainian Veterans
A dedicated stream of Canadian assistance is directed toward Ukrainian veterans and their families.
Canada announced the allocation of up to C$40.1 million toward a multi-donor initiative supporting the implementation of Ukraine’s National Veterans Strategy.
The aid will be channelled into recovery, rehabilitation, reintegration, and the transition of veterans back into civilian and economic life.
Return of Ukrainian Children
A distinct subject of the negotiations was the situation of Ukrainian children unlawfully deported or forcibly transferred by Russia.
Canada announced up to C$6 million to support efforts to locate, return, rehabilitate, and reintegrate Ukrainian children.
Additionally, Canada imposed new sanctions against eight individuals linked by the Canadian government to violations of Ukrainian children’s rights, specifically their unlawful deportation, forced transfer, indoctrination, and militarization.
On September 28–29, Canada, Ukraine, and Norway are scheduled to host the second international conference in Toronto dedicated to the return, rehabilitation, and reintegration of forcibly transferred and deported Ukrainian children, unlawfully detained civilians, and prisoners of war.
Reconstruction of Ukraine and Critical Minerals
Another milestone of the negotiations was the deepening of cooperation in the sphere of critical minerals.
The Canada–Ukraine Critical Minerals Initiative entails collaborative research, identifying new opportunities, attracting investment, and developing related processing and production in Ukraine.
The Declaration for a 100-Year Partnership also provides for continued economic cooperation under the modernized Canada–Ukraine Free Trade Agreement and the engagement of Canadian businesses in Ukraine’s reconstruction.
Promising avenues of cooperation include energy, infrastructure, transportation, housing, the agri-food sector, and the digital economy.
Ukraine and the Canadian eTA: The Process Is Just Beginning
An essential provision of the agreements for Ukrainian citizens concerns mobility.
Canada and Ukraine agreed to initiate the process toward the potential inclusion of Ukraine in the conditional Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) regime.
As of September 11, 2026, this does not mean that an eTA or visa-free travel to Canada has already been implemented for citizens of Ukraine. It marks the commencement of the relevant process.
Canada and Ukraine also agreed to launch exploratory discussions regarding a potential future social security agreement.
Canada Will Maintain Pressure on Russia
Canada reaffirmed its intent to maintain and intensify economic pressure on the Russian Federation.
Together with G7 partners, Canada will continue to explore lawful avenues to leverage the full value of immobilized Russian sovereign assets for the benefit of Ukraine.
Canada also supports the establishment of a Special Tribunal for the crime of aggression against Ukraine and an international compensation mechanism for damages caused by Russian aggression.
Canada’s Support for Ukraine Exceeds C$26 Billion
According to official Government of Canada data, with these new announcements, Canada’s total commitments across various forms of support for Ukraine since 2022 have exceeded C$26 billion.
This support spans military, economic, humanitarian, security, and stabilization assistance, as well as development, reconstruction aid, and immigration measures.
“Your Fight Is Our Fight”
Mark Carney summarized Canada’s stance toward Ukraine with the words:
“Your fight is our fight, your struggle is our cause, and your victory will be ours.”
The signed Declaration for a 100-Year Partnership is designed to lay the foundation for cooperation that will cover not only support for Ukraine during the war, but also its future security, economic recovery, energy, technology, and reconstruction.
Mark Carney declared:
“Canada is, has been, and always will be a steadfast ally of Ukraine in its relentless pursuit of freedom.”
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Author: Nadiya Yashan, Director of Business Woman Magazine in Canada
Photo: from open sources