Zelensky stops over in Canada before talks with Trump

OTTAWA -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Saturday stopped over in the city of Halifax, Canada, and met with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney before flying to Florida to meet with US President Donald Trump for talks aimed at ending the Ukraine crisis.

Carney and Zelensky held a bilateral meeting to discuss the latest developments in ongoing peace talks, and Carney affirmed Canada's "full support" for Ukraine, according to a statement on the official website of the prime minister.

According to local media, Zelensky is set to discuss a 20-point peace plan with Trump, likely at Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida, on Sunday.

"In the coming days, much can be accomplished both bilaterally between Ukraine and the United States, as well as with our Coalition of the Willing partners," Zelensky was quoted as saying by CBC News.

"It is critical that we jointly and constructively bolster Ukraine's ability to protect life, reinforce our front-line positions and enhance the effectiveness of the negotiation process. Right now, it is Russia that is dragging its feet and trying to waste time," he said.

Zelensky's Canadian visit came after he spoke with Carney by phone on Friday.

According to a readout of the call from the prime minister's official website, Carney commended "Zelensky for his continued efforts to secure a just and lasting peace for the people of Ukraine, and the courage of the Ukrainian people as they face another winter of Russian aggression."