Anticipate surprises at the coalition meeting in Paris regarding Ukraine, was the prevailing sentiment among leaders, including Prime Minister Mark Carney, from around 30 countries who convened in the French capital on Tuesday.
While European officials grappled with the impact of U.S. military action in Venezuela on the Ukrainian ceasefire efforts, Canada’s focus was on the fallout from Chrystia Freeland’s advisory role with the Ukrainian government while still serving as a member of Parliament.
Freeland, a former cabinet minister, will serve as an unpaid special economic adviser to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. She had previously been Canada’s envoy for Ukraine’s reconstruction but has since resigned that position and will soon step down as an MP.
The apprehension and planned prosecution of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores under U.S. jurisdiction were the primary concerns for European leaders ahead of discussions on specific security assurances for Ukraine.
Adding to the tension, U.S. President Donald Trump reiterated his interest in acquiring Greenland from Denmark, with one of his advisers not ruling out the possibility of military action.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen responded by emphasizing that Denmark’s sovereignty over Greenland is non-negotiable and any military aggression against a NATO member would have severe consequences.
President Trump asserted that European leaders understand the importance of Greenland to the United States.
Prior to the meeting, Prime Minister Carney refrained from engaging in speculations about U.S. military threats towards Greenland and emphasized solidarity with Denmark and Greenland.
Various nations have expressed unwavering support for Denmark’s control of Greenland, underscoring the importance of respecting the sovereignty of the Kingdom of Denmark in deciding Greenland’s future.
Strategic Responses
During his meeting with Danish PM Frederiksen, Carney announced that Gov. Gen. Mary Simon and Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand will inaugurate a new consulate in Greenland in early February.
Anand’s earlier plans to open the consulate were postponed due to adverse weather conditions.
Carney is also scheduled to meet with Finnish President Alexander Stubb on the sidelines of the Ukraine summit.
The EU leaders are unlikely to directly address the Venezuela issue in the coming days to avoid upsetting the U.S. delegation and risking U.S. support for Ukraine.
Carney took a measured approach to Maduro’s arrest, highlighting Canada’s stance against the Venezuelan regime since the disputed 2018 election.
While welcoming the prospects of democracy and peace for Venezuela, Carney refrained from acknowledging a swift transition to democracy due to challenges faced by opposition figures.
Both President Trump and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio invoked the Monroe Doctrine to justify U.S. actions in Venezuela, asserting Washington’s authority in the Western Hemisphere.
Furthermore, Trump alleged Russian and Chinese presence near Greenland, drawing parallels to Russia’s actions in Ukraine.
Despite recent events, experts foresee progress towards a ceasefire in Ukraine, with coalition leaders aiming to establish concrete security guarantees to deter Russian interference post-ceasefire.
The leaders are also expected to focus on reconstruction efforts in Ukraine.