I'll start by apologizing. In the BBC planet April program on the eve elections I compared your charisma to "a sopl in the mediate of Canadian winter." I trust you've forgiven me. Finally, the icicles can be sharp, durable, and — erstwhile touched by sunlight — highly dazzling.
Yours debut visit to Kiev Sunday, coincident with Ukraine's 34th anniversary of independence, showed many Ukrainians that In fact, you can be all I mentioned..
Your ability to keep Canada on a steady course in the face of Donald Trump's violent diplomacy has not remained unnoticed. From criminal duties after non-binding discussions about Canada Annex, Trump treated our country at best as a pawn in the game. If he had the chance, he'd most likely sale Canada to 1 of his buddies for a fraction of his worth.
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However, as I have already told viewers in CNN and the BBC, president Volodymyr Zelenski would do well to analyze, as you, representing America's oldest and closest ally, Deals with a rubber man in charge of the United States. With a man who changes his head from minute to minute.
Is Western engagement beyond symbolism?
However, to be honest, I have frequently criticised Canada's support for Ukraine. Under your predecessor, Justin Trudeau, Ottawa seemed to believe that the sanctions themselves would subdue Vladimir Putin. It didn't work. Russia, with full aid Iran, North Korea and ChinaShe became proficient in circumventing the sanctions imposed on her war machine.
Most Western leaders, including Trudeau, She wasted the key months needed by Ukraine to build strength, not giving her what she had been begging for — a powerful offensive weapon ready to hit the Russian war device — since February 2022. Result: Hundreds of Ukrainians proceed to die all day, and the end cannot be seen.
And that leads me to your visit. To be honest, many Ukrainians are tired of the fact that abroad leaders are coming by train to take a photograph shoot here, to lay wreaths, to walk the cobbled streets of Kiev, to pose with president Zelenski, promoted by abroad media — before they travel again. This war caused fatigue not only on front lines, but besides in the hearts of average peopleWho wonder if Western engagement goes beyond symbolism.
With all due respect, Mr. Carney, Your time could be better spent in Washington. to persuade Mr Trump not only to halt threatening Canada, but to halt questioning Ukraine's survival.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and US president Donald Trump during a White home meeting. Washington, 6 May 2025.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld / PAP
There is no doubt: endurance is at stake. In fresh weeks, the “Wall Street Journal” reported that The Pentagon blocks Ukraine from firing long-range missiles towards RussiaWhile the Associated Press claimed Trump was halting supplies of Patriot systems and another key air defence systems. It is not just a bad policy — it is simply a death conviction for the Odessa planet Port, a key artery in the global food supply chain, where I compose this letter.
“You cannot let Ukraine to become a pawn”
You have come with something that Canadian media have described as “new” support. In fact, it is worth $1 billion of drones, armored transporters, ammunition and cash, worth a full of 2 billion to come from the "recycle" of Canada's earlier G7 promise. This is important, of course — but not at all new.
I besides fishy that a crucial part of these expenditures will be considered to be Canada's contribution to NATO's defence commitments of 5% of GDP. The definition of "defensive expenditure" is, so to speak, conveniently flexible. Finally, Italy had EUR 13.5 billion Bridge to Sicily as part of his contribution to NATO.
Your message that he would not regulation out sending Canadian soldiers to postwar Ukraine has been duly noted. For now, Canada's military presence remains symbolic, although not insignificant: as part of Operation Unifier, 45,000 Ukrainian soldiers have undergone Canadian training, first on Ukrainian dirt and now in Poland. This reminds of the long past of Canadian-Ukrainian military cooperation. But Ukrainians cannot wait for the “postwar” promises of the Volunteer Coalition, of which Canada is simply a member. They request aid right now.
Emmanuel Macron, president of France, Mark Carney, Prime Minister of Canada, Donald Trump, president of the United States, and Keir Starmer, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, during the G7 summit. Kananaskis, 16 June 2025.Adrian Wyld/Canadian Press/ABACAPRESS.COM / PAP
On the eve of arrival, Canadian officials informed journalists that Russia is making "slow progress" in a run to reclaim Ukrainian landWhile Canadian intelligence estimates that Ukraine loses 500 soldiers a day. On the 34th anniversary of independence, this number is simply a sobering reminder of the tremendous cost of freedom.
Prime Minister, if I could leave you with 1 request, it would be as follows: You can't let Ukraine become a pawn in Washington's transactional games or NATO's creative accounting. Don't let your debut visit be remembered just as another chance to take a picture. Canadians know what it means to defend sovereignty under pressure. Ukrainians experience it on their own, 1 minute at a time.
I utilized to mock you for being like an icicle. Today, Ukrainians would request a Canadian leader who is relentless, sharp and stunningly bright. Be the icicle, Mr. Carney. — not only in the independency Square in Kiev, but besides in Washington, where the destiny of Ukraine is presently traded.
Sincerely,
Michael Bociurkiw, a arrogant Canadian citizen,
Odessa, Ukraine
