Ukraine’s 33rd Independence Day turned into a stage for global diplomacy as Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney stood shoulder-to-shoulder with President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, pledging Canada’s support for “robust security guarantees” in any future peace deal. With U.S. President Donald Trump steering ongoing peace efforts, the conversation is shifting rapidly from battlefield tactics to post-war security frameworks that could define Europe’s next chapter.
Carney’s Pledge: Security Beyond Words
Carney, on his first visit to Ukraine since taking office in March, underscored that Ukraine’s survival cannot rest solely on its own armed forces.
“It is not realistic that the only security guarantee could be the strength of the Ukrainian Armed Forces,” Carney declared, pointing toward the need for international backing.
His remarks strongly aligned with Zelenskiy’s long-standing demand for NATO-style protections under a peace framework. Ukraine, he said, must inherit not fear, but peace.
Trump’s Envoy in the Spotlight
Adding to the day’s significance, Trump’s special envoy, Keith Kellogg, was honored by Zelenskiy during a ceremony at Kyiv’s historic Sophia Square. The symbolic moment came as Trump pushes allies to draft potential security guarantees for Ukraine, signaling Washington’s openness to innovative post-war arrangements.
Behind the scenes, Kellogg also met Ukrainian Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko, discussing the U.S.-Ukraine minerals deal and future security structures.
Military Aid and Drone Cooperation
Canada’s visit wasn’t symbolic alone. Carney announced Ukraine would receive more than C$1 billion ($723 million) in military aid next month, part of an earlier package. Additionally, Ukraine and Canada signed a landmark agreement on drone co-production, enhancing Kyiv’s growing domestic defense industry.
The ATACMS Question
The ceremony was clouded by revelations in the Wall Street Journal that the Pentagon had quietly restricted Ukraine’s use of U.S.-supplied ATACMS missiles for deep strikes inside Russia. Zelenskiy sidestepped frustration, instead revealing Ukraine’s increasing reliance on domestically built long-range weapons.
“Lately we have not been discussing this issue with the United States,” he admitted, confirming Ukraine’s strikes on Russian oil and gas facilities in Samara and Ust-Luga.
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The Bigger Picture: A Turning Point?
With the war entering its fourth year, the narrative appears to be tilting toward structured peace talks and long-term guarantees rather than temporary ceasefires. Whether Canada’s strong endorsement and Trump’s peace initiative converge into a binding framework remains uncertain—but Kyiv’s message was clear: Ukraine will not accept peace without protection.
