Speaking alongside Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese during a joint press conference in Canberra, Carney said Canada would stand by its partners as tensions in the Middle East deepen following a large-scale military strike by the United States and Israel on Iran.“One can never categorically rule out participation,” Carney said when asked whether Canada could become directly involved in the conflict. He described the question as hypothetical but stressed that Canada remained committed to supporting its allies and protecting its national interests.“We will stand by our allies,” he said. “We will always defend Canadians.”Conflict dominates diplomatic visitCarney’s visit to Australia has been overshadowed by the widening war in the Middle East following the U.S.–Israeli strike on Iran that killed Iran’s supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, according to statements referenced during the visit.The Canadian leader said the strikes were “inconsistent with international law,” while also reiterating Canada’s long-standing position that Iran should not obtain a nuclear weapon.Carney said Canada supported efforts aimed at preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons, though he described the situation as “another example of the failure of the international order.”Despite the rising tensions, the prime minister called for restraint and urged steps to reduce the risk of further escalation.Carney reiterated his call for “de-escalation” of the conflict, highlighting concerns that the confrontation could destabilise the broader Middle East and strain the international security system.Middle powers urged to cooperateDuring a speech to Australia’s parliament, Carney urged countries he described as “middle powers” to work more closely together in an international environment increasingly shaped by major geopolitical competition.He said nations such as Canada and Australia faced a choice between cooperating to help shape the evolving global order or allowing larger powers to set the rules.“In this brave new world, middle powers cannot simply build higher walls and retreat behind them. We must work together,” Carney told lawmakers.He said countries with similar political and economic values could help influence international governance through cooperation and coordinated policies.“Great powers can compel, but compulsion comes with costs, both reputational and financial,” he said, adding that countries such as Canada and Australia possessed the ability to convene partners because they were seen as reliable actors in international affairs.Carney said these countries could strengthen their influence by aligning their policies with their stated values and working collectively in multilateral forums.

Expanding economic and strategic cooperationCarney also highlighted plans for deeper cooperation between Canada and Australia across a range of sectors including defence, artificial intelligence and natural resources.He said the two countries intended to work together as “strategic collaborators” and pointed to the potential of combining their rare earth mineral resources, which are widely used in advanced technologies and clean energy systems.“We know we must work with others who share our values to build solid capabilities,” he told parliament, warning that countries risked being “caught between the hyperscalers and the hegemons” if they failed to strengthen partnerships.Carney’s visit forms part of a broader tour of the Asia-Pacific region aimed at expanding economic partnerships and reducing Canada’s reliance on the United States.

The trip comes amid strained relations between Ottawa and Washington. Carney has previously clashed with U.S. President Donald Trump, who has threatened tariffs on Canadian goods and has at times suggested the possibility of annexing Canada.Earlier this year, speaking at the World Economic Forum in January, Carney warned that the U.S.-led global system of governance was undergoing what he described as “a rupture,” reflecting broader shifts in the balance of geopolitical power.

The delegation is expected to engage with key figures involved in shaping the US approach to the conflict, focusing on the details of a proposed peace framework. Ukrainian officials have emphasized that their objective is not merely a ceasefire, but a settlement that ensures long term stability and sovereignty.

According to officials in Kyiv, the talks will center on security guarantees that could protect Ukraine from future aggression once hostilities end. These discussions are seen as essential, given the scale of the conflict and the ongoing fighting along a front line stretching over vast territory.

Despite repeated diplomatic efforts over the past several years, the war has shown no signs of fully de escalating. Military engagements continue daily, underscoring the urgency behind the latest negotiations taking place on American soil.

Ukraine and the United States have reportedly worked together on a detailed peace proposal containing multiple points addressing military, political, and economic concerns. However, the absence of a clear response from Russia remains one of the biggest obstacles to progress.

Among the most sensitive topics expected to dominate the talks are territorial questions, future defense arrangements, and the status of critical infrastructure under occupation. These issues are deeply complex and carry significant consequences for regional and global security.

Ukrainian officials have also indicated that post war reconstruction will form a key part of the agenda. Years of conflict have caused extensive damage to infrastructure, housing, and industry, making international investment crucial for recovery.

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has expressed hope that upcoming international meetings will help unlock large scale reconstruction funding. Such investments are viewed as vital not only for rebuilding Ukraine, but also for ensuring economic resilience in the years following the war.

The United States has played a central role in diplomatic efforts aimed at resolving the conflict, with President Trump personally urging both Kyiv and Moscow to move toward an agreement. His administration’s involvement has added renewed momentum, even as battlefield realities remain difficult.

Officials involved in the talks have described the current phase as decisive, noting that prolonged delays could harden positions on all sides. The challenge lies in balancing compromise with the need to preserve Ukraine’s core national interests.

As negotiations continue, expectations remain cautious rather than optimistic. Past rounds of dialogue have often ended without concrete outcomes, highlighting how difficult it is to bridge the gap between diplomatic proposals and realities on the ground.

The visit underscores Ukraine’s determination to pursue every available diplomatic channel. It also signals that international engagement remains a key pillar of Kyiv’s strategy to secure a just and lasting peace.

Talks remain ongoing. No final agreement has been reached.