Ukrainian President Volodymyr met with visiting Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney to discuss defence and energy cooperation between the two countries.

The two sides signed an agreement on drone co-production and an action plan for implementing the agreement on security cooperation, according to the Ukrainian presidential website.

Mr Zelensky welcomed Canada’s readiness to allocate $500 million under the Prioritised Ukraine Requirements List initiative to help Ukraine procure U.S. weapons.

He also proposed that Canada join major energy projects in Ukraine.

“We have the necessary port infrastructure and storage capacities. Ukrainian storage facilities can be used for the supply of Canadian gas,” Mr Zelensky said.

He further expressed hope that Canada could play an active role in implementing security guarantees for Ukraine.

Speaking at a joint press conference following the meeting, Mr Carney said his country is coordinating with allies, the ‘Coalition of the Willing’, and Ukraine on security guarantees covering land, air, and sea.

He added that he would not exclude the possibility of troops being present.

Earlier on Thursday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that deploying foreign troops in Ukraine is unacceptable to Russia.

(Xinhua/NAN)