During Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s official visit to Canada, the two countries signed the Declaration on a 100-Year Partnership. The document sets out a long-term course for cooperation between Ukraine and Canada—not only during the war, but for decades to come.
The idea behind the document is that support for Ukraine is not limited to military aid. Canada and Ukraine have agreed to develop a strategic partnership in the areas of security, the defense industry, energy, the economy, innovation, science, education, and post-war reconstruction. In effect, this is a roadmap for cooperation between the countries for the coming century.
Defense will be one of the key areas of focus. Canada will continue to support Ukraine in strengthening its air defense and developing the production of drones and defense technologies. At the same time, the parties plan to deepen cooperation between defense industry enterprises so that Ukraine can increase its own production of modern weapons.
Energy security occupies an important place in the declaration. Following numerous Russian attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, Canada has reaffirmed its readiness to support the restoration of the power grid and to implement joint projects that will help Ukraine get through future winters and make the energy sector more resilient.
The document also calls for expanded cooperation in the field of cutting-edge technologies. This includes the development of innovations, digital solutions, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and joint scientific research. Special attention is given to economic partnership, attracting Canadian investment, and business participation in Ukraine’s post-war reconstruction.
Support for the Ukrainian community in Canada will be a separate area of focus. Today, the country is home to one of the largest Ukrainian diasporas in the world—more than 1.3 million people of Ukrainian descent. For many years, this community has played a vital role in the development of relations between the two countries, and since the start of the full-scale invasion, it has become one of the main centers of support for Ukraine.
The signing of the Declaration on a 100-Year Partnership has not only practical but also symbolic significance. It demonstrates that Canada views Ukraine as a long-term strategic partner and reaffirms its commitment to supporting Ukraine’s security, economic development, and European future for many decades to come.