In a significant policy shift that could reshape Canada’s role in Eastern Europe, Prime Minister Mark Carney revealed yesterday that his government is exploring the possibility of deploying Canadian troops to Ukraine—but only under specific conditions tied to a future peace agreement.
“We’re not ruling anything out in terms of supporting Ukraine’s territorial integrity following a negotiated settlement,” Carney stated during his visit to Kyiv, where he met with President Volodymyr Zelensky amid ongoing Russian aggression. “If a credible peace deal emerges that requires international peacekeeping forces to monitor demilitarized zones or enforce ceasefire lines, Canada stands ready to consider its appropriate role.”
The statement marks a notable evolution in Canada’s Ukraine policy. While Ottawa has consistently provided military equipment, training, and financial aid exceeding $9.8 billion since 2022, the potential deployment of Canadian personnel on Ukrainian soil would represent an unprecedented level of direct involvement.
Defence experts caution that such a mission would come with substantial risks. “Even in a post-settlement scenario, Canadian forces could face significant threats from Russian-backed separatists, saboteurs, or irregular forces operating in contested regions,” explains Dr. Helena Kowalski of the Royal Military College.
Opposition leaders have already raised concerns about mission parameters and potential escalation risks. Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre demanded “clear objectives, strict timelines, and robust rules of engagement” before any deployment authorization, while NDP defense critic Christine Moore questioned whether such a mission falls within Canada’s strategic interests.
The Ukrainian Canadian Congress, representing 1.4 million Ukrainian-Canadians, has expressed strong support for the proposal. “Canada’s participation in a peace enforcement mission would demonstrate our unwavering commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty,” said Alexandra Chyczij, UCC President.
Military analysts suggest any Canadian contribution would likely involve specialized capabilities in reconnaissance, intelligence gathering, or logistics support rather than frontline combat forces. Colonel (Ret.) Michel Drapeau notes that “Canada’s expertise in peacekeeping operations makes it particularly valuable in monitoring compliance with ceasefire terms and facilitating humanitarian access.”
The timing of Carney’s announcement coincides with growing international momentum toward finding a diplomatic resolution to the conflict, now in its third year with over 500,000 military casualties and millions of displaced civilians. Recent back-channel negotiations in Geneva have shown modest progress on potential territorial compromises.
Should Canada proceed with troop deployment, it would join several NATO allies considering similar commitments. Poland and the Baltic states have already signaled willingness to contribute forces to a potential multinational peacekeeping mission, while France and Germany have expressed conditional support.
As geopolitical tensions continue reshaping global security arrangements, Canadians must now consider a difficult question: Is our country prepared to accept the risks and responsibilities that come with putting boots on the ground in Europe’s deadliest conflict since World War II, even under the auspices of a peace agreement?
