Prime Minister Mark Carney reaffirmed Canada’s “steadfast and unwavering support” for Ukraine during his first official meeting with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Rome on Saturday. The meeting took place at Canada’s Official Residence to the Italian Republic, as Carney continued a series of high-level discussions with world leaders while in Italy to attend the inaugural mass of Pope Leo XIV.
Carney, who is using the trip to strengthen diplomatic ties ahead of next month’s G7 summit in Kananaskis, Alberta, praised Zelenskyy for his leadership and commitment to peace. Referring to the recent round of peace talks held in Turkey, Carney said, “We admire your commitment to peace, as you’ve demonstrated it again this week… There can be no peace without the full support and participation of Ukraine, and you have our absolute support.”
Zelenskyy, dressed in all black, thanked Carney for his continued backing and extended a formal invitation for the Canadian leader to visit Ukraine. Speaking about the peace negotiations, the Ukrainian president emphasized the importance of both sides being genuinely committed to ending the conflict. He expressed disappointment over Russian President Vladimir Putin’s absence, saying, “We really waited for Putin, and he didn’t come. He’s afraid of bilateral, just direct talks.”
Carney responded by affirming his eagerness to host Zelenskyy at the upcoming G7 summit.
Earlier in the day, Carney met with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni at the historic Chigi Palace, where he received a ceremonial welcome complete with a red carpet and a 50-member Italian honour guard. The national anthems of both countries were played during the reception.
The prime minister later held talks with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, where the two leaders discussed cooperation in areas such as artificial intelligence, clean energy, and critical minerals. During their conversation, von der Leyen noted the need for greater European responsibility within NATO, to which Carney playfully responded by gesturing toward himself and mouthing, “us too.”
This visit marks Carney’s first official foreign engagement since winning last month’s federal election. Although he had previously travelled to Europe after securing the Liberal leadership, he did not attend Pope Francis’ funeral due to its proximity to the election date. His presence at Pope Leo XIV’s inaugural mass will be his first official visit to the Vatican as prime minister.
Carney is joined in Rome by a 13-member delegation of Liberal MPs, many of whom are Catholic or represent ridings with large Catholic populations. The group includes former cabinet minister Jean-Yves Duclos, Nova Scotia MP Jaime Battiste, and Ottawa MPs Mona Fortier and Marie-France Lalonde. Senators Toni Varone and Tony Loffreda are also part of the delegation, along with Assembly of First Nations National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak and Métis National Council President Victoria Pruden.
