Zelensky praises Canada’s role in supporting Ukraine as it takes over G7 leadership

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky marked the start of Canada's G7 presidency, praising the country’s longstanding support for Ukraine in its war against Russia.

“Today marks the beginning of Canada’s G7 Presidency. We are all placing great hope in this year – that together, in 2025, through our collective strength, we can achieve a stable and just peace,” Zelensky said in his statement.

Zelensky thanked Canada for its contributions since the full-scale invasion by Russia and noted the collaboration among the G7 nations. “Over the past years of working together, we have proven that the unity of the world’s largest democracies can make life more secure. In the new year, we count on achieving similar results,” the Ukranian president continued.

He also reiterated the importance of ensuring that Russia does not benefit from the ongoing war, saying, “Together, we must ensure that Moscow gains no benefit from this war.”

The G7 presidency rotates annually among member states. In 2024, Italy held the presidency, and now Canada takes over.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has consistently committed to supporting Ukraine in its fight against Russia. Earlier this week, the two leaders spoke, and Trudeau reaffirmed his country’s commitment to “providing military, financial, humanitarian, and other support for Ukraine as it continues to fight against Russia’s unjustifiable war of aggression,” according to a statement from the Prime Minister’s office.

“Prime Minister Trudeau also underscored the continued importance of support for peace and freedom in Ukraine as Canada prepares to assume the G7 Presidency in January 2025, with both leaders expressing the need for continued sanctions against Russia,” the statement added.