The future of Ukraine will be decided in Washington, not in Kiev [OPINIA]
I'll start with an apology. In the April BBC World program, on the eve of the election, I compared your charisma to “Sopla in the middle of Canadian winter”. I trust you forgive me. After all, icicles can be sharp, durable and – when they affect their sunlight – extremely dazzling.
Your debut visit to Kiev on Sunday, converging from the 34th anniversary of Ukraine's independence, showed many Ukrainians that In fact, you can be everything I mentioned.
Your ability to maintain Canada on a permanent course in the face of Donald Trump's violent diplomacy has not been unnoticed. From criminal duties to casual conversations about Canada's annexation, Trump treated our country at best like a pawn in the game. If he had such a chance, he would probably sell Canada to one of his buddies for a fraction of values.
However, as I said to viewers in CNN and BBC, President Wołodymyr Zelnski would do well if he analyzed, like the Lord, representing the oldest and closest ally of America, He copes with the man-heading man at the head of the USA. With a man who changes his mind from minute to minute.
Does Western commitment go beyond symbolism?
Still, if I am to be honest, I often criticized Canada support for Ukraine. Under the rule of your predecessor, Justin Trudeau, Ottawa seemed to believe that the sanctions themselves would tame Vladimir Putin. It failed. Russia, with eager to help Iran, North Korea and China, became a ran in bypassing the sanctions imposed on her war machine.
Most Western leaders, including Trudeau, wasted the key months needed by Ukraine to build endurancewithout giving her what she begged for – a powerful offensive weapon, ready to hit the Russian war machine – from February 2022 the result: hundreds of Ukrainians are still dying every day and the end is not visible.
And this leads me to your visit. To be honest, many Ukrainians are tired of the fact that foreign leaders come by train to take a photo session here, fold wreaths, walk on the cobbled streets of Kiev, pose with the President Zelnski, promoted by foreign media – before they set off again. This war caused fatigue not only on the front lines, but also in the hearts of ordinary peoplewho are wondering if Western involvement goes beyond symbolism.
With all due respect, Mr. Carney, Your time could be better used in Washington In convincing Mr. Trump not only to stop threats against Canada, but also to stop undermining Ukraine's survival.
Prime Minister Canada Mark Carney and US President Donald Trump during a meeting at the White House. Washington, May 6, 2025.
There is no doubt: the stake is survival. In recent weeks, “Wall Street Journal” reported that Pentagon blocks Ukraine the possibility of launching long -range missiles towards Russiawhile the Associated Press claimed that Trump was suspending the supply of Patriot systems and other key air defense systems. This is not only a bad politics – it is a death sentence for the world port in Odessa, a key thoroughfare in a global food supply chain, from where I write this letter.
“You can't let Ukraine become a pawn”
You came with something that Canadian media described as “new” support. In fact, worth $ 1 billion [ok. 3,65 mld zł] Drones, armored transporters, ammunition and cash, worth together, come from “recycling” of the earlier promise of Canada as part of G7 in the amount of 2 billion to. [ok. 7,3 mld zł]. This is important, of course – but not new at all.
I also suspect that a significant part of these expenses will be recognized as Canada's contribution to NATO defense obligations at 5 percent. GDP. The definition of “defense expenditure” is, so to speak, conveniently flexible. In the end, Italy has been worth EUR 13.5 billion [ok 57,5 mld zł] The bridge to Sicily as part of its contribution to NATO.
Your statement that it would not rule out sending Canadian soldiers to post -war Ukraine was properly recorded. For now, the military presence of Canada remains symbolic, though not without significance: as part of the Unifier operation, 45,000. Ukrainian soldiers underwent Canadian training, first in Ukrainian land, and now in Poland. It reminds of the long history of Canadian-Ukrainian military cooperation. But Ukrainians cannot wait for the “post -war” promises of the coalition of volunteers, whose member is Canada. They need help now.
Emmanuel Macron, President of France, Mark Carney, Canada Prime Minister, Donald Trump, US President, and Keir Starmer, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, during the G7 summit. Kananaskis, June 16, 2025
On the eve of the arrival of Canadian officials informed journalists that Russia makes “slow progress” in a campaign aimed at regaining Ukrainian landwhile Canadian intelligence estimates that Ukraine loses 500 soldiers a day. Up to 500! On the 34th anniversary of regaining independence, this number is a sobering reminder of the huge costs of freedom.
Prime Minister, if I could leave you with one request, it would be as follows: You cannot allow Ukraine to become a pawn in Washington's transaction games or in NATO creative accounting. Let your debut visit not be remembered only as another opportunity to take a photo. Canadians know what it means to defend sovereignty under pressure. Ukrainians experience this on their own skin, a minute after a minute.
I once mocked that you were like a icol. Today, the Ukrainians would use a Canadian leader who is adamant, sharp and dazzlingly bright. Be the sopper, Mr. Carney – Not only at Independence Square in Kiev, but also in Washington, where the fate of Ukraine is currently the subject of trade.
Kind regards,
Michael Bociurkiw, proud Citizen of Canada,
Odessa, Ukraine
