Carney promises ‘unwavering’ support for Ukraine at G7 summit

With world leaders in the third day of meetings at the G7 summit in Alberta, the focus shifted from trade to war.

The Ukrainian community in Hamilton is welcoming Prime Minister Mark Carney’s announcement of new support for Ukraine.

But at the same time, U.S. President Donald Trump doesn’t seem to be giving up on the 51st state idea, despite new trade talks with Canada.

The prime minister met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the summit in Alberta and reaffirmed Canadian support for Ukraine, backing it up with more than $4 billion in money and military equipment.

With President Zelenskyy invited to join the G7 leaders, he arrived for the meeting just hours after a massive Russian drone and missile attack on his homeland.

Ukrainian officials say at least 15 people were killed, more than 150 injured, and an apartment building in Kyiv destroyed.

“We need support from our allies, and I’m here. And thank you for the military package,” said Zelenskyy.

Prime Minister Carney promised continued support for Ukraine.

“And to be absolutely clear, the support will be unwavering until we get a just peace for Ukraine and the Ukrainian people,” said Carney.

Carney also announced new Canadian measures against businesses helping Russia get around sanctions imposed on it, along with $2 billion in loans to Ukraine and billions in military support.

“Drones, helicopters, broader munitions, over $2 billion worth of assistance directly to Ukraine,” said Carney.

Elena Lazar, the head of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress in Hamilton, says other countries should be doing the same as Russia continues attacking.

“How can any decent human being stand by and watch this terrible war? Not just the soldiers being attacked, but civilians being attacked … I’m so glad Canada is doing the right thing and supporting Ukrainians,” said Lazar.

At the same time, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte was at the summit congratulating Canada on reaching its NATO commitment of military spending at two per cent of its gross domestic product.

“The fact that you decided to bring Canada to the two per cent spending when it comes to NATO this year is really fantastic,” said Rutte.

WATCH MORE: Trump and Carney discuss trade at G7 amid tensions over tariffs

On trade and tariffs, Canadian officials say talks will be continuing with the U.S., after President Trump said they’re aiming at a deal within 30 days.

“We are confident, I think positive that we made progress following the meeting between the president and the prime minister,” said Canadian Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs Dominic LeBlanc.

But Trump, leaving the G7 a day earlier than expected to deal with the Iran crisis, said tariffs are a good deal for the U.S.

“We’re making a lot of money. We took in $88 million in tariffs,” said Trump.

And reporters on his plane say Trump told them Canada will have to pay more in tariffs if it doesn’t become part of the U.S., as well as $71 billion for the so-called Golden Dome missile defence system planned by the U.S. — up from $61 billion.

Meanwhile in Ontario, Premier Doug Ford didn’t seem too impressed with the G7 trade talk.

“It didn’t seem like much happened to be very frank. They agreed that over the next 30 days they’ll put a deal together. That’s good news … and I’m confident that we’ll get a deal done,” Ford said.

And in another potential flashpoint, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Alberta Tuesday to meet with Prime Minister Carney — that’s despite the deteriorating relations following accusations that India was connected to the murder of a Sikh separatist in Canada.

But Carney says India is a huge country with a huge economy, and it makes sense to have Modi there.

READ MORE: Trump, Carney aim to finalize Canada-U.S. trade deal by mid-July