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Zelenskyy to G7: Air Defense “A Matter of Life and Death” as Canada Announces New Aid Package
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On June 17, during the G7 summit in Kananaskis, Canada, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and other G7 leaders to discuss continued support for Ukraine.
According to the Office of the President of Ukraine, Canada announced a new military aid package that includes drones, helicopters, and ammunition, valued at over CA$2 billion ($1.48 billion). Part of this assistance will be directed toward Ukraine’s domestic defense production. A separate $2 billion tranche is expected to come from profits generated by frozen Russian assets.
“This is our contribution,” Carney said. “We will work with our European and other allies to ensure the necessary support. And I want to say clearly: this support will remain in place until we achieve a just peace.”
President Zelenskyy raised the issue of the recent large-scale attack on Ukraine, calling it one of the most massive since the beginning of the full-scale war.
“Ukrainians, our families went through a very difficult night—one of the largest attacks since the war began: 440 Shahed drones and 32 missiles, including ballistic ones,” he said.
At the time of the meeting, over 130 people were reported injured and 15 killed in the attack, which targeted civilian infrastructure and residential buildings.
Canada also announced new sanctions targeting a number of Russian individuals, more than 40 companies in Russia and third countries helping Moscow evade existing restrictions, and over 200 vessels linked to Russia’s shadow fleet.
In addition, Zelenskyy and Carney discussed strengthening Ukraine’s air defense capabilities—including the need for air defense systems and missiles—and deepening defense cooperation. They also addressed possible joint weapons production projects and Canadian investment in Ukraine’s defense industry.
President Zelenskyy also addressed the G7 at an event titled “A Strong and Sovereign Ukraine,” stating that G7 countries must invest in the development of Ukrainian defense technologies and step up sanctions against Russia “to force Vladimir Putin to stop the war.”
“Air-defense systems worked across the country, intercepting many drones and missiles—largely thanks to your countries’ support,” Zelenskyy told the G7. He stressed the urgency of securing additional systems and transitioning to domestic missile and drone production to meet the growing threat.
Zelenskyy warned that Russia is deepening military cooperation with Iran and North Korea, which poses a threat not only to Ukraine but to global security. He pointed to Russia’s modernization of Iranian drones and the subsequent transfer of advanced models to North Korea as a key example. In response, Ukraine is focusing on developing and deploying interceptor drones but needs additional funding to scale up production.
“We all will have to continue working together—with the highest level of coordination. Not only politically and diplomatically, but also technologically and in terms of investment. I urge you to continue increasing investment in weapons production in Ukraine—this is the fastest way to achieve results,” Zelenskyy emphasized.
In addition, he is expected to hold separate talks with Japan’s Prime Minister, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, Brazil’s President, and India’s Prime Minister.
A brief joint meeting with EU leaders, including European Council President António Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, is also planned.
Earlier, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, commenting on Russia’s latest large-scale attack on Ukraine on June 17, underscored that Moscow deliberately launched the strikes during the Group of Seven summit.
