A FRIEND IN NEED — When JUSTIN TRUDEAU and VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY first met in 2019, they exchanged jokes through a translator. But Thursday afternoon, as they have done since the start of the war, they got on the horn and spoke directly. The prime minister, who will leave office next month, reminded Zelenskyy over the phone: Canada will always stand in defense of Ukraine. — Slava Ukraini: Their origin story dates to 2019 and Zelenskyy’s first official visit to Canada. Even then, Trudeau promised “to stand with Ukraine against Russian interference and aggression.” During a gala dinner, Trudeau joked about the things he and Zelenskyy had in common. “You played a history teacher who goes into politics, before being elected yourself. And I’m a teacher too although I taught math and French,” Trudeau said. “I think we can both say the classroom brought us here today.” During the trip, Zelenskyy shared a photo of the two smiling and grinning at each other. “@JustinTrudeau was one of those leaders who inspired me to join politics,” he said. — Friend for life: These days Zelenskky and Trudeau talk every few weeks. They use first names during press conferences, sometimes referring to each other as a “dear friend.” Last year, Zelenskyy awarded Trudeau the Order of Freedom, which the PM accepted on behalf of Canadians. — Like-minded: The friendship is rooted in the shared history of Canada and Ukraine. Under former Prime Minister BRIAN MULRONEY, Canada was the first Western country to recognize Ukraine's independence, and it is home to one of the largest Ukrainian diaspora communities in the world. “Volodymyr, in the years I have known you, I have always thought of you as a champion for democracy. Now democracies around the world are lucky to have you as our champion,” Trudeau said in 2022 introducing Zelenskyy’s virtual address to Parliament. — Bad timing: Trudeau is the longest-serving leader in the G7 and one of the longest-serving in the G20. He’s advocated for Ukraine on the world stage, and in meetings with global leaders. But his exit is imminent. — New connections: Two people favored to become PM one day have been focused on domestic issues lately rather than foreign affairs. Neither Conservative Leader PIERRE POILIEVRE nor Liberal leadership candidate MARK CARNEY mentioned Ukraine at press conferences this week. → Even though: President DONALD TRUMP startled the Western world when he referred to ZELENSKYY as “dictator” and accused Ukraine of starting the war. → Even as: The U.S. began negotiating with Russia without Ukraine in a push to end the war. It prompted western leaders, including Canada, to meet — behind the back of the U.S. — and form a new diplomatic framework to deal with the White House’s alignment with Moscow. → (Most) Western leaders agree: Any peaceful settlement must respect the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine. And Ukraine must be part of every discussion. “Nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine,” Trudeau said this week — a position completely at odds with Trump's apparent view of peace talks. — Conservative position: When pressed, a spokesperson for Poilievre says Conservatives believe the future of Ukraine should be decided by Ukrainians: “as such any negotiation process should include the Ukrainians themselves.” “Common sense Conservatives stand with Ukrainians as they continue to defend their country from Vladamir Putin’s illegal invasion,” SEBASTIAN SKAMSKI tells Playbook. — Former DPM enters the chat: Liberal leader candidate CHRYSTIA FREELAND, who championed the West’s sanctions on Russia, has also spoken out. On X she shared: “Volodymyr Zelenskyy is no dictator — but Putin certainly is. Ukraine and the people of Ukraine are leading the global fight for democracy. Canada must stand with them.” — Monday in Kyiv: As Trump's administration turns on Ukraine, EU and world leaders will rally around Zelenskyy and talk security guarantees. “Your fight is our fight,” Trudeau told the Ukraine president again this week. During yesterday’s call as the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion edged nearer, Trudeau and Zelenskyy agreed on one more thing — that they will remain in close and regular contact. | 
