Carney meets Zelenskyy in Halifax as Trump prepares to host peace talks

By Canadian Press on December 27, 2025.

HALIFAX — Prime Minister Mark Carney condemned new Russian air attacks and announced additional economic assistance for Ukraine as he and the country’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, stood side-by-side and spoke to reporters at a Halifax-area airport.

Zelenskyy and Carney are meeting ahead of peace talks hosted by U.S. president Donald Trump in Florida this weekend.

It’s all occurring as Russia attacked Ukraine’s capital with missiles and drones on Saturday, killing at least one person and wounding 27.

Carney calls the attacks “barbarism” and says they show how important it is to stand with Ukraine, noting Canada will provide a further $2.5 billion of economic assistance for Ukraine.

He says the money will help unlock financing from other organizations, including the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank for reconstruction.

Zelenskyy thanked Canada for its support and called the new attacks “Russia’s answer on our peace efforts.”

Canada has been a staunch supporter of Ukraine since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in February 2022, committing $6.5 billion in military support along with humanitarian aid.

Zelenskyy has said the U. S-backed peace plan is about 90 per cent ready, but sticking points remain on security guarantees and other issues.

The Ukrainian leader’s stop in Canada follows a phone call between him and Carney on Friday.

In a social media post after speaking with Carney on the phone, Zelenskyy said he believes much can be accomplished between Ukraine and the U.S., though he accused Russia of dragging its feet and trying to waste time.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 27, 2025.

Emily Baron Cadloff, The Canadian Press