Bell Lecture 2026 with Chrystia Freeland Advocates for a Strong Ukraine
The Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Canada’s former Deputy Prime Minister, embodied her new role as a special advisor to Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky by offering an impassioned argument for Ukraine’s war efforts during her delivery of the 2026 Bell Lecture on May 6 at Carleton University.
“Ukraine is not a helpless victim, but a shield and arsenal,” said Freeland, describing Ukraine’s ability to hold off a Russian invasion into greater Europe. “The people are highly motivated by patriotism to defend themselves, their families, their values, and their independence.”
Freeland took on the role as an unpaid advisor on economic development to Ukraine in January 2026. She will continue in that role when, in July 2026, she becomes the CEO of the Rhodes Trust. Previously, Freeland served as a Member of Parliament for 11 years, as well as Minister of International Trade, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Minister of Finance.
She highlighted the roots of Ukraine’s strength in her lecture: a strong democracy, a patriotic mindset and a burgeoning grassroots weapons industry.
When the war began in 2022, Ukraine faced Russia’s larger army and greater weaponry. In response, Ukraine’s military began creating relatively cheap drones to destroy vehicles and kill combatants. Freeland gave examples of grassroots drone inventors, some working out of their kitchen.
“Ukraine has the capacity to produce 7 million drones a year,” said Freeland. “There is a very close relationship between the people who are designing and producing weapons and the people who are fighting. That has created an incredibly rapid innovation cycle.”
She credits that motivation to a mindset not of victimhood, but of national pride. Freeland remembered calling Ukrainian family members early in the war, offering them the opportunity to come to Canada.
“We asked them if they wanted to come to Edmonton, Winnipeg or Toronto. And one of my great-aunts said, ‘Thank you very much but we’re staying. We aren’t going to flee when our country needs us.”
Freeland also emphasized that Ukraine’s strength and its success rests on its commitments to liberal democracy.
“Some believe the supposed power of a self-appointed strong man is stronger than a democracy. Ukraine is showing that’s just wrong,” said Freeland. “This is the most grassroots, democratic, civilian war effort that I have seen in modern times.”
Freeland tied that interpretation to a call for more financial and military support for Ukraine from Western countries. As the war passes the four-year mark, Freeland is optimistic for Ukraine’s future.
“A lot of people— smart people, well-informed people—thought Ukraine was finished and should surrender. The only place I didn’t hear that was Ukraine,” she noted. “We are going to win. We don’t know how, we don’t know when, but we’re going to win.”
The Dick, Ruth and Judy Bell Lecture is held each spring to honour the contributions of individuals to the political and public life of Canada. It was established by the late Ruth Bell, a Carleton political science alumna and philanthropist.
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