Carney’s arrival in Kyiv adds to a historic chain that connects Canada to the war-ravaged nation, from first welcoming Ukrainian settlers in 1891, to becoming the first Western nation to recognize Ukraine as a country in December 1991, to Ottawa’s now decade-old mission to lead the training of Ukraine’s military to repel Russian invaders.

On the day celebrating Ukraine's independence, Prime Minister Mark Carney of Canada made a surprise visit to Ukraine where Ottawa and Kyiv entered several agreements centered on defending the besieged European nation.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy was joined by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and U.S. special envoy Keith Kellogg on Sunday (August 24) for an Independence Day celebration, marking the 34th anniversary of Ukraine proclaiming independence from the Soviet Union.

KYIV >> Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy marked Independence Day on Sunday alongside Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who said Ukraine would receive more than C$1 billion ($723 million) in military aid from a previously announced package next month.

According to the UN, there are 5.6 million Ukrainians outside the war-torn country. This group includes the approximately one million war refugees so far remaining in Poland. Some of them have already put down roots,