Carney calls for ‘maximum pressure’ on Russia as Putin issues threat to allies

Prime Minister Mark Carney, left, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, centre, and his wife Olena attend a flower laying ceremony at the Memory Wall of Fallen Defenders of Ukraine in Kyiv, Ukraine, on Sunday, Aug. 24, 2025. (Ukrainian Presidential Press Office via AP)

OTTAWA — Prime Minister Mark Carney says Canada and other allies need to maintain “maximum pressure” on Moscow as Russian President Vladimir Putin threatens to target foreign troops deployed to Ukraine.

Carney says that pressure has “several aspects,” including ensuring Ukrainian forces are armed, that sanctions against Russia are in place and that Ukraine is supported “when there is a cessation of hostility.”

The Associated Press reports that Putin said any foreign troops deployed to Ukraine, particularly while the war is ongoing, would be considered “legitimate targets” by Moscow’s forces.

Carney’s office said Thursday that he told Ukraine’s allies that Canada is willing to deploy “direct and scalable military assistance” in a post-ceasefire Ukraine.

French President Emmanuel Macron said 26 of Ukraine’s allies have pledged to deploy a “reassurance force” once the war with Russia ends with a peace agreement or ceasefire.

Carney says Putin “is the cause of this war” and “is not going to dictate the terms of the peace.”

— With files from Anja Karadeglija

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 5, 2025.

Catherine Morrison, The Canadian Press