Gyeongju, South Korea – A coalition of nations including Canada, Australia, and Modern Zealand have signaled heightened concern regarding Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine, reaffirming their commitment to international pressure on Moscow during meetings at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum in Gyeongju. The joint statement, released November 3, 2025, follows earlier expressions of condemnation made in May 2025 after APEC Ministerial Meetings in Jeju, Korea.
The coordinated diplomatic response underscores a unified front against Russia’s actions, with the three nations explicitly stating their “unwavering support for APEC” and acknowledging the efforts of South Korea as APEC Chair in 2025. The statement did not detail specific new sanctions or aid packages, but reiterated existing commitments to supporting Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Beyond the condemnation of Russia, the APEC meetings saw significant bilateral developments for Canada. On October 30, 2025, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung announced a “landmark road map” to deepen cooperation on security, defense, and emerging strategic technologies. This new framework, dubbed the “ROK-Canada Security and Defence Cooperation Partnership,” is reportedly the first of its kind for Canada in the Indo-Pacific region.
President Lee described Canada as “a key ally and a friend comparable to an alliance partner,” referencing Canada’s historical support during the Korean War, where 27,000 Canadian troops were deployed and nearly 400 lives were lost. The agreement builds upon the existing ROK-Canada Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, aiming to accelerate joint defense initiatives and strengthen industrial collaboration between the two countries.
Simultaneously, South Korea likewise elevated its relationship with New Zealand to a “comprehensive strategic partnership,” signaling a broader effort by Seoul to strengthen alliances in the Indo-Pacific region. Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy, outlined in September 2024, identifies both the Republic of Korea and New Zealand as key partners in promoting peace, resilience, and security.
Following the announcement of the security partnership, Denmark, Latvia, Slovenia, Estonia, Norway, Sweden, and Finland have all publicly indicated their support for the initiative, though details of their involvement remain undisclosed. No official response has been issued by Russia regarding the strengthened security ties between Canada and South Korea, or the broader coalition of nations condemning its actions in Ukraine.
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