Prime Minister Mark Carney says Canada to build forces to support peace in Ukraine

By Canadian Press on January 6, 2026.

PARIS — Prime Minister Mark Carney says Canada will continue to build up its military might in the coming years, in part so it’s able to play a role in providing security guarantees for Ukraine.

Carney is in Paris meeting with Ukraine’s allies to discuss the role Canada might play in securing an eventual ceasefire in the war with Russia.

At a press conference at the Canadian embassy, Carney said the negotiations on peace and security guarantees for Ukraine are “90 per cent of the way there.”

He says that’s according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who is also in Paris.

Carney says the the remaining parts of a potential peace deal will need to be negotiated by Ukraine, Russia and the United States.

The prime minister says Steve Witkoff, the U.S. special envoy to the Middle East and peace missions, and Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump’s son-in-law and former senior adviser will be at the meeting.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 6, 2026.

Craig Lord, The Canadian Press