ISTANBUL

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Saturday he held a “good meeting” with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in Rome to discuss how to advance lasting peace and strengthen defense ties.

Zelenskyy expressed gratitude for Canada’s consistent support, calling the country “a real friend of Ukraine.”

“The key priority is to apply pressure on Russia in a way that compels real steps toward ending the war,” he said on X, adding that they discussed specific sanction tools, including secondary and "energy-related measures," and penalties targeting Russia’s "shadow fleet."

The leaders also reviewed military cooperation and the development of the “Coalition of the Willing,” a group supporting Ukraine’s defense needs.

Zelenskyy said he appreciated Canada’s invitation to attend the upcoming G7 summit and added that Kyiv looks forward to hosting Prime Minister Carney in Ukraine.

He also met with Swiss President Karin Keller-Sutter in Rome to discuss humanitarian assistance, school safety measures, and Ukraine’s reconstruction efforts.

The Ukrainian president said their talks focused on “the need for a ceasefire, increased pressure on Russia, humanitarian demining, implementation of school meal programs, and shelter arrangements in Ukrainian schools.”