Carney meets Denmark's Frederiksen, confirms expanded NATO role and backs Ukraine

The move expands Canada's leadership role on NATO's eastern flank as allies bolster deterrence against Russia following its invasion of Ukraine.

During their meeting on the sidelines of the summit, Carney and Frederiksen reaffirmed bilateral ties and discussed expanding cooperation on trade, defence, Arctic security, energy and critical minerals, according to the Canadian government.

Canada's entry as the third Framework Nation for NATO's Multinational Division North will see the Canadian Armed Forces take a leadership role in planning and coordinating military operations, intelligence sharing and exercises to help defend the northern Baltic Sea region.

The leaders also discussed strengthening transatlantic security and Canada's proposal to establish a Defence, Security and Resilience Bank, a multilateral financing institution intended to support defence, security and resilience projects.

The two leaders noted that bilateral trade between Canada and Denmark has doubled over the past decade and agreed there was scope to deepen commercial partnerships.

The prime ministers also reaffirmed their support for Ukraine in its war against Russia and agreed to maintain pressure on Moscow to negotiate what the Canadian government described as a "just and lasting peace."

The two leaders agreed to remain in close contact on shared security and economic priorities.