Zelenskyy describes Canada-U.S. tensions as 'strange,' draws comparison to Ukraine and Russia | CBC News

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Friday described the unfolding tension between Canada and the United States as a "strange" sight to behold, drawing a comparison to his own country's fight with neighbouring Russia.

In a wide-ranging, exclusive interview with CBC News, Zelenskyy described American threats to annex Canada as "dangerous" and said both countries have a duty to resolve their differences.

"Strange," the president told CBC News chief correspondent Adrienne Arsenault, speaking to the tension in North America.

"It's very dangerous [when] there are some problems between neighbours and we [Ukraine and Russia] are the example."

Russia and Ukraine are, like Canada and the U.S., neighbours with a lengthy border and history, though their current tensions are vastly different: Moscow's four-and-a-half year invasion of Ukraine is a deadly war, while the issues in Ottawa and Washington are largely economic.

"I think that the United States and Canada, will have to have … very constructive dialogue. They have to have it. It's dangerous. [There's] no choice," he said.

Zelenskyy's remarks come at the end of a visit to Canada, which was focused on Ukrainian air defences and winter preparation as the war with Russia enters its fourth year.

He spoke about Ukraine's new strategic partnership with Canada, efforts to revive peace talks with Moscow and his view on any potential face-to-face meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Canada and Ukraine signed a long-term strategic and political partnership on Thursday that lays the foundation for the construction of millions of drones to defend both countries. The declaration established a 100-year partnership that stretches across defence and security, trade and investment, as well as energy and critical minerals.

On Friday, Zelenskyy said the length of the deal with Canada, one of Ukraine's most vocal supporters in the war, was chosen as a symbolic gesture.

"It's about roots," he said. "It says that we will be together for a long period of time. Our children and our grandchildren, we will work together. We will share the experience of security [and] a lot of different things."

Zelenskyy's visit to Canada came not only as the relationship between Canada and the U.S. hit another low, but as the Trump administration renews its push to end Russia's war in Ukraine.