Defying U.S. Refusal to Deploy Troops in Ukraine...Carney Says 'Troop Dispatch Not Ruled Out'

34th Anniversary of Ukraine's Independence...Zelensky: 'No Humiliating Compromises'

NATO Member States Continue Arms Support

Canada to Provide Weapons Worth ₩1 Trillion

Norway, Alongside Germany, to Support with Air Defense Missiles

Russia-Ukraine Summit Remains Uncertain

U.S.: 'Sanctions Against Russia Still Possible'

Canada has left open the possibility of troop deployment to guarantee Ukraine’s security. Other NATO member states, such as Norway and Sweden, have also begun providing military aid. Volodymyr Zelensky, President of Ukraine, stated his intent to secure security guarantees for Ukraine, while the United States signaled that sanctions against Russia remain an option. However, Russia has announced no plans to hold a summit with Ukraine in the near term, leading to a sense of difficulty regarding peace negotiations.

◇ The West Pledges Support for Ukraine

On the 24th (local time), in a video released ahead of the 34th Independence Day ceremony, President Zelensky said, "Ukraine will never again endure the shame that Russians call compromise," and "We will achieve lasting peace by obtaining security guarantees so strong that no one will dare to invade again." Ukraine celebrates August 24, 1991, when the Act of Declaration of Independence from the former Soviet Union passed the parliament, as its Independence Day.

At the ceremony in Kyiv, Zelensky highlighted Western support. Notably, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney attended the event. At a press conference, Prime Minister Carney said, "Allied forces, including Canada, could be stationed in Ukraine," and "(I) have not ruled out that possibility." As part of its peace agreement negotiations with Russia, Ukraine is requesting collective defense commitments from the U.S. and Europe similar to Article 5 of NATO.

Prime Minister Carney also announced plans to provide military support to Ukraine next month worth CA$1 billion (about ₩1 trillion), including drones, ammunition, and armored vehicles for the Ukrainian forces. This is part of the CA$2 billion aid package pledged at the G7 summit last June.

European countries have also unveiled support plans for Ukraine to coincide with its Independence Day. Norway announced, together with Germany, that it will provide two U.S.-made Patriot air defense systems to Ukraine. Norway plans to invest 7 billion kroner (about ₩963.6 billion) in its joint plan with Germany. Sweden's Defense Minister Pål Jonson visited Kyiv and agreed on joint production of military equipment with Ukraine. According to the Kiel Institute for the World Economy, Europe has provided €35.1 billion (about ₩57 trillion) in military aid to Ukraine through defense funding from the outbreak of war in 2022 up to this June.

◇ Negotiations with Russia Remain Distant

A summit between Russia and Ukraine remains uncertain. The United States intends to use both negotiations and pressure cards for a peace agreement with Russia. On this day, U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance said in an NBC interview that "Sanctions against Russia are still possible," while also stating, "We will decide on a case-by-case basis whether to apply appropriate pressure to bring Russia to the negotiating table." He added, "If we had been able to control Russia, this war would have ended seven months ago," and "What we rely on is that we still have many cards to play."

U.S. sanctions against Russia include not only imposing high tariffs on Russia but also secondary sanctions that tax countries buying Russian oil. The U.S. believes that this pressure has forced some concessions from Russia. Vice President Vance insisted, "We can apply additional pressure to end the war, and if there is progress in negotiations, we can consider relief."

However, he reaffirmed that there would be no U.S. troop deployment to guarantee Ukraine’s security. Vance emphasized, "Europe will play a major role in security guarantees, and other countries may also participate." Russia believes that China and Russia, among others, should participate in guaranteeing Ukraine’s security. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said in a media interview, "A group of countries, including United Nations Security Council member states, must guarantee Ukraine's security."

Reporter: Myung-Hyun Han wise@hankyung.com