Prime Minister Mark Carney is meeting with several world leaders during his time in Rome, where he will attend Pope Leo XIV’s inaugural Mass on May 18.
He met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on May 17, and assured him that Ukraine has Canada’s support in the war with Russia.
“The Canadian people stand in steadfast and unwavering support of your leadership of the people of Ukraine,” Carney said during a press briefing in Rome.
“We admire what you’re doing. We admire your commitment to peace, as you’ve demonstrated again this week, and we underscore that there can be no peace without the full support and participation in Ukraine.”
Zelenskyy said he was thankful for Canada’s support and hoped peace talks currently ongoing between Ukraine and Russia will be successful.
“We have to make pressure, more pressure on Russia and Putin to make this as quick as possible. And, of course, unconditional ceasefire is very, very important,” he said.
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Officials from Russia and Ukraine met in Istanbul on May 16 and discussed a possible prisoner exchange and a ceasefire.
Carney also met with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on May 17 at her official residence. The two leaders discussed strengthening commercial ties, including in the areas of energy, investment, and research and innovation.
Carney also met with the European Union President Ursula von der Leye, discussing artificial intelligence, clean energy, and minerals.
During his time in Rome, Carney is also expected to meet with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on May 18.
Canada will be hosting the G7 leaders, and Zelenskyy, in Kananaskis, Alberta, in June.
After Carney landed in Rome on May 16, he was greeted on the tarmac by Canadian Ambassador to Italy Elissa Goldberg and Canada’s Ambassador to the Holy See Joyce Napier
Thirteen Liberal MPs are travelling with Carney for Pope Leo’s inaugural Mass, which will take place at St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican City on May 18.
Former cabinet minister Jean-Yves Duclos, Nova Scotia MP Jaime Battiste, and Ottawa MPs Mona Fortier and Marie-France Lalonde are among those on the trip.
Senators Toni Varone and Tony Loffreda are also part of the Canadian delegation, as are Assembly of First Nations National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak and Métis National Council President Victoria Pruden.
Carney will be in Rome until May 19.
Carney did not attend the funeral for Pope Francis, which occurred two days before the federal election in April. He issued congratulations to Pope Leo on May 8, saying he hoped his time in the role would be “marked by wisdom, discernment, a deep commitment to common good, and dignity of all.”
“Canada looks forward to working with His Holiness to build a world guided by solidarity, justice, and sustainability,” he said.
The Canadian Press contributed to this article.
