In the face of U.S. instability, Canada, the EU and Ukraine don鈥檛 need a lifeboat, they need a CANEUU.
At the 4 Nations Face-Off hockey tournament, Canada鈥檚 victory over the United States showcased its ability to compete at the highest level and exceed expectations. This is not just true in sports. In global security, Canada has long punched above its weight, proving to be an indispensable ally and team player. Now, as U.S. support for Ukraine becomes increasingly uncertain and Washington shows a troubling pattern of failing to uphold commitments to allies, Canada and Europe must take the initiative in shaping Ukraine鈥檚 future, securing their own defences, and ensuring their own economic stability.
As a former Member of Parliament and Chair of Canada鈥檚 National Defence Committee, I have closely examined security issues affecting Canada, Ukraine, and Europe. When Russia seized Crimea in 2014 and fueled conflict in Donbas, many in the West were slow to react. By 2018, Ukrainian officials warned that without a stronger international response, Russia would escalate its aggression. That warning became a reality in 2022 when Putin launched a full-scale invasion, turning a simmering conflict into an existential war for Ukraine.
Recent developments make it clear that the United States is no longer the reliable security partner it once was. Canada and Europe must take the lead in ensuring Ukraine has the support it needs, not just to win the war but to build a stable future. Meanwhile, high-level meetings between Russian and American officials in Saudi Arabia, excluding European and Ukrainian voices, suggest that Washington may negotiate Ukraine鈥檚 future without Ukraine at the table. Canada and Europe must take greater responsibility for their security and Ukraine鈥檚 survival.
NATO remains a cornerstone of transatlantic security, but its effectiveness depends on the commitment of its members. While NATO provides a framework for collective defence, it does not always ensure consistent engagement from all members, nor does it include Ukraine. Where NATO falls short due to wavering U.S. commitments, an additional mechanism is needed to ensure long-term stability and reliability.
A Canada-Europe-Ukraine Union, let us call it CANEUU, could formalize existing cooperation in military support, economic collaboration, and democracy-building. It could ensure that aid to Ukraine is not subject to U.S. election cycles and that Canada and Europe are not sidelined in global decision-making. CANEUU is not intended to replace NATO but to enhance and reinforce its mission by ensuring more consistent and committed support among its members. It could ensure reliable, long-term security cooperation among committed nations independent of wavering U.S. leadership.
For Ukraine, the immediate threat is physical security in the face of Russian aggression. For Canada and Europe, ensuring economic stability remains a pressing concern, particularly in light of supply chain disruptions and potential U.S. tariff threats. While the stakes are different, CANEUU would provide stability on both fronts, allowing members to adapt to shifting global dynamics without relying on unpredictable U.S. leadership.
Canada and Europe have been key players in Ukrainian support, providing military aid, financial assistance, and humanitarian relief. However, this war is about more than Ukraine. It is about defending international norms. If Ukraine falls, European security is at risk, and Canada, as a transatlantic nation, cannot afford to be passive.
With the United States becoming increasingly unpredictable, Canada and Europe must take the lead in ensuring that Ukraine has the support it needs, not just to win the war but to build a stable and secure future. A CANEUU framework could enable defence cooperation, intelligence sharing, and joint military training, ensuring that Ukraine has sustained, predictable support outside U.S. influence when necessary.
Canada and Europe are already linked through the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), and extending this framework to include Ukraine would accelerate its integration into the Western economic system, reducing dependence on uncertain U.S. commitments.
While Ukraine鈥檚 EU membership will take years, deeper ties with Canada and Europe now will accelerate its economic and institutional integration. A CANEUU economic and security agreement could structure trade and investment to accelerate Ukraine鈥檚 recovery while enhancing energy security. Europe could further reduce its dependence on Russian energy by leveraging Canada鈥檚 expertise in renewables and its petroleum resources.
History has shown that bold action arises when circumstances demand it. Canada, Europe, and Ukraine cannot afford to wait for stability to return. They must create it. A Canada-Europe-Ukraine Union is not just an ambitious vision. It is a strategic necessity for security, economic resilience, and a future built on self-reliance.
Stephen Fuhr
~Stephen Fuhr is a Canadian Liberal politician, who represented the riding of 麻豆精选鈥擫ake Country in Canada's 42nd Parliament.
