Zelensky flies to the U.S. — stops in Canada to coordinate talks with allies
A brief stop in Canada is not protocol but an attempt to coordinate positions ahead of the meeting with the US president. We explain why this is important for Ukraine's security guarantees.
By Tetiana Suchkova-Ladik
December 27, 2025 · 2 min read
In brief
President Volodymyr Zelensky is traveling to the United States; en route he will make a short stop in Canada to meet Mark Carney — a noted economist and former governor of the Bank of Canada and the Bank of England. In Florida, on December 28, a face-to-face conversation with U.S. President Donald Trump is scheduled.
What's planned
According to the president, during the stop in Canada there will be an "online conversation" with leaders of European countries. The goal is to discuss the details of documents and align positions ahead of the meeting with the American leader. This is not a ceremony — it's tactical coordination.
"On the way we will stop in Canada. I will have a meeting with Mark Carney. We plan to speak online with the leaders of Europe"
— Volodymyr Zelensky, President of Ukraine
Context: what they'll discuss
At the center are the contentious points of the so‑called "peace plan" and mechanisms for security guarantees for Ukraine. According to the press office, the exchange of documents is intended to lay the groundwork for dialogue with Trump and provide clear markers of next steps.
"The fate of any peace plan depends solely on my decision"
— Donald Trump, President of the United States
Why it matters for Ukraine
Coordination is key. If questions about guarantees and implementation mechanisms are not clearly agreed among partners, any agreements risk remaining declarative. For Ukraine it is important not only to secure formulations, but also to obtain practical instruments — financing, legal guarantees, technical monitoring mechanisms.
What analysts say
Experts point to two things: first, the role of the United States in resolving the issue will remain decisive; second, synchronization with European allies increases the chances of comprehensive guarantees rather than isolated promises. In other words, the preparatory work for the meeting matters at least as much as the conversation itself.
Summary
This trip is more about preparation than PR. Now it's up to the partners: will they turn the agreed positions into concrete guarantees for Ukraine?
