Canada backs Project Freya and expands defence ties to help Ukraine’s air defences

What happened

• Prime Minister Mark Carney met with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during the President’s official visit to Canada.

Key commitments and changes

• Canada confirmed it will provide additional military assistance to address Ukraine’s urgent need for air-defence systems and equipment.
• Canada will support Project Freya, a pan‑European effort to develop a lower-cost, high-volume interceptor for ballistic missile threats.
• Operation UNIFIER, Canada’s training and support mission for the Armed Forces of Ukraine, has been extended until 2029.
• Leaders discussed strengthening defence cooperation and industrial partnerships, with emphasis on drone design and production.

By the numbers (from the readout)

• Canada has provided over $8.5 billion in military support and over $750 million for recovery and reconstruction to Ukraine.
• Canada has imposed more than 3,500 sanctions in response to Russia’s actions.

Why it matters

• The announcements aim to help protect Ukrainian civilians and infrastructure as Russia intensifies attacks, especially on energy systems ahead of winter.
• Support for Project Freya and industrial partnership could increase Ukraine’s capacity to intercept missile threats and build domestic defence production.

Source detail: readout from the Prime Minister’s Office; associated link listed as "Canada-Ukraine relations."