PM: Troops to Ukraine only "possibility" as Canada boosts defence spending

At the meeting of the "coalition of the willing" in Paris on January 6, Prime Minister Mark Carney confirmed Canada’s support alongside more than 30 coalition countries, though he noted it is still unclear whether Ottawa would deploy troops to Ukraine.

Carney said the use of Canadian troops remains only “a possibility,” adding that a multinational force would have “a much bigger effect than obviously we would if we were on our own.”

The draft agreement envisions a multinational force deployed to Ukraine after a ceasefire, backed by “non-European members of the coalition, and the proposed support of the U.S.” French President Emmanuel Macron highlighted the inclusion of Canada, New Zealand, Australia, and Japan, calling Canada’s participation “a very strong signal.”

At the Paris press conference, U.S. President Donald Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff said Washington is committed to supporting peace efforts. “President Trump’s mandate is that he wants peace in Ukraine, and we are determined on his behalf to do everything … to attain that peace,” he said. Witkoff added that the framework includes “security protocols, which are important so that the people of Ukraine know that when this ends, it ends forever.”

Jared Kushner, who took part in the talks, called the declaration “a big, big milestone,” saying that “peace would not be possible without the progress that was made here today.”

The statement commits the coalition to a U.S.-led ceasefire monitoring mechanism, long-term military support for the Ukrainian Armed Forces, and a binding plan to assist Kyiv if Russia violates a future agreement.

Carney said Canada’s initial contribution could focus on training, noting Canadian troops are already training Ukrainian forces in Poland under Operation Unifier. He argued that Canada’s major military buildup — “the largest … in generations,” with an additional $80 billion planned over the next five years — will strengthen its long-term role in European and Arctic security.

Canada’s defence chief, Gen. Jennie Carignan, has been discussing security guarantees with coalition counterparts for months and took part virtually in a meeting of defence chiefs one day before the Paris summit. A senior Canadian official said Ottawa has long been working on making “an appropriate and serious contribution.”

Carney also met NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, who commended Canada’s support for Ukraine and its leadership in defending the Far North, where Russia and China have become “active.” Carney stressed that Canada is making “heavy investments” in the Arctic, calling the region, along with Greenland, the “western flank” of NATO.

By Tamilla Hasanova