Zelenskyy describes Canada-U.S. tensions as 'strange,' draws comparison to Ukraine and Russia
Zelenskyy calls U.S. threats to annex Canada 'dangerous'
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Friday described the unfolding tension between Canada and the United States as a "strange" sight to behold, drawing a comparison to his own country's fight with neighbouring Russia.
In a wide-ranging interview with CBC News, Zelenskyy described American threats to annex Canada as "dangerous" and said both countries have a duty to resolve their differences.
"Strange," the president told CBC News chief correspondent Adrienne Arsenault, speaking to the tension in North America.
"It's very dangerous [when] there are some problems between neighbours and we [Ukraine and Russia] are the example."
Russia and Ukraine are, like Canada and the U.S., neighbours with a lengthy border and history, though their current tensions are vastly different: Moscow's four-and-a-half year invasion of Ukraine is a deadly war, while the issues in Ottawa and Washington are largely economic.
"I think that the United States and Canada, will have to have β¦ very constructive dialogue. They have to have it. It's dangerous. [There's] no choice," he said.
Zelenskyy's remarks come at the end of a visit to Canada, which was focused on Ukrainian air defences and winter preparation as the war with Russia enters its fourth year.
He spoke about Ukraine's new strategic partnership with Canada, efforts to revive peace talks with Moscow and his view on any potential face-to-face meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Canada and Ukraine signed a long-term strategic and political partnership on Thursday that lays the foundation for the construction of millions of drones to defend both countries. The declaration established a 100-year partnership that stretches across defence and security, trade and investment, as well as energy and critical minerals.
On Friday, Zelenskyy said the length of the deal with Canada, one of Ukraine's most vocal supporters in the war, was chosen as a symbolic gesture.
"It's about roots," he said. "It says that we will be together for a long period of time. Our children and our grandchildren, we will work together. We will share the experience of security [and] a lot of different things."
Zelenskyy's visit to Canada came not only as the relationship between Canada and the U.S. hit another low, but as the Trump administration renews its push to end Russia's war in Ukraine.
After U.S. special envoy SteveΒ WitkoffΒ and Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner discussed potential proposals to end the war during visits to Moscow and Kyiv, Trump said the Russian leader wanted to make a deal.
Ukraine has been trying to bring the war to Russia. More Russians are beginning to feel it
But on Friday, Zelenskyy expressed doubts the Kremlin is interested in ending the war. He said he believes Russia maintains its goal of occupying Ukraine, but said he would sit face-to-face with Putin if trilateral negotiations came to fruition β though he said he doesn't expect any movement until after Russian parliamentary elections on Sept. 20.
"It's not my wish β¦ Better to sit with my family," he said of a possible meeting with the Russian president. He described Putin as an "enemy," but said sitting down with an enemy "can bring us closer" to peace.
Diplomatic efforts to end the war have been stalled for months, while both countries have escalated attacks on the other. Moscow has continued its bombardment of Ukrainian cities, while Kyiv has intensified its strikes inside Russia in an effort to reduce its economic ability to continue with the war.
"To be honest, there is no win-win in this war. It can't be so because [there's been] so many human losses. It stopped being win-win at the first day of this war between us," Zelenskyy said.
"The most important victory for everybody, it's not for Ukraine and Russia ... For the world, it's peace. To stop this war. And this is a victory for a human lives."
Zelenskyy's visit to Canada focused on Ukrainian air defences and winter preparation as the war with Russia enters its fourth year. (Mark Bochsler/CBC)With files from Murray Brewster
