Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has pledged unwavering support for Ukraine during his first face-to-face meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy. The meeting occurred in Rome on Saturday, shortly before the inaugural mass of newly elected Pope Leo at the Vatican.

During the discussion, Carney made it clear that Ukraine's involvement is essential for achieving lasting peace and reiterated Canada's full commitment to its ally.

“The Canadian people remain firmly and unshakably behind you,” Carney told Zelenskiy. “We emphasize that peace is impossible without Ukraine’s active role, and you have our complete support.”

The meeting served as a key moment in reaffirming Canada's position as a loyal partner to Ukraine amid its ongoing conflict with Russia. It also marked Carney's first major foreign engagement focused on global security and diplomatic cooperation.

Alongside his meeting with Zelenskiy, Carney also held bilateral talks with several prominent European leaders, including Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Italian President Sergio Mattarella, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. These discussions are part of the diplomatic groundwork ahead of the upcoming G7 Summit, which Canada will host in June.

At the same time, U.S. President Donald Trump announced plans to speak individually with both the Russian and Ukrainian presidents on Monday, suggesting a renewed push by the United States to engage diplomatically in the region.

Carney’s engagements in Rome underscored Canada’s continued commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty and its dedication to working closely with global allies to promote stability and peace.