Zelenskyy secures $1.47 billion aid from Canada, urges G7 to tighten pressure on Russia

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in Canada on Tuesday, where Prime Minister Mark Carney announced C$2 billion ($1.47 billion) in new military aid and additional financial sanctions on Russia.

The visit came as Zelenskyy urged G7 nations to strengthen support for Ukraine’s war effort against Russia, even as US President Donald Trump left the summit early amid rising West Asia tensions.

The G7 group of wealthy nations has struggled to find unity over conflicts in Ukraine and the West Asia as Trump has expressed support for Russian President Vladimir Putin and has imposed tariffs on many of the allies present.

A Russian attack overnight on Kyiv that killed 12 people “underscores the importance of standing in total solidarity with Ukraine,” Reuters quoted Zelenskyy as saying.

Carney said when G7 leaders met for dinner on Monday, they stressed the importance of using “maximum pressure against Russia” to force it to start serious peace talks.

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“We are ready for the peace negotiations, unconditional ceasefire — I think it’s very important. But for this, we need pressure,” Zelenskyy responded.

Carney is expected to release a statement after the summit ends Tuesday, urging more sanctions on Russia and endorsing US-led peace efforts, Reuters quoted a G7 source as saying.

Though Canada is a vocal backer of Ukraine, Zelenskyy acknowledged its support is eclipsed by the US, Ukraine’s largest arms supplier.

He expressed hope of discussing additional weapons with President Trump.

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Trump left the summit early, citing urgent developments in West Asia, but later denied it was tied to ceasefire efforts between Iran and Israel, contradicting French President Emmanuel Macron.

A European diplomat said the remaining G7 leaders stayed to meet Zelenskyy and continue talks.

Trump did endorse a joint statement calling for de-escalation: “We urge that the resolution of the Iranian crisis leads to a broader de-escalation of hostilities in the Middle East, including a ceasefire in Gaza.”

The statement blamed Iran for regional instability and affirmed Israel’s right to self-defence.

Zelenskyy previously said his goals included securing more support, tightening sanctions on Russia, and securing financing for Ukraine’s reconstruction.

“Our conviction is that if we want to move towards peace, we must indeed demonstrate our resolve together and our ability to go much further with sanctions,” Macron said Monday.

According to Reuters, a European official said after Monday’s talks with President Trump that G7 nations, including the US, broadly agreed to increase pressure on Russia for a ceasefire.

However, the proposal to lower the Russian oil price cap was dropped due to rising global prices.

Trump reiterated his view that the former Group of Eight made a mistake in expelling Russia after its 2014 annexation of Crimea.

The Kremlin responded on Tuesday, backing Trump’s remarks and dismissing the G7’s relevance, saying it now looked “rather useless.”

G7 leaders have drafted documents on migration, artificial intelligence, and critical minerals, according to sources briefed on the texts. However, none have received US approval so far.

“Without Trump, it is unclear if there will be any declarations,” Reuters quoted an European diplomat as saying.

In a bid to expand alliances and reduce reliance on US trade, Carney invited non-G7 countries including Mexico, India, Australia, South Africa, South Korea, and Brazil to the summit.

With inputs from agencies