Prime Minister Mark Carney has stated that if he encounters Russian President Vladimir Putin at the G20 summit in Miami later this year, he will keep their conversation brief. The annual gathering, hosted by the U.S. and with an invitation extended by U.S. President Donald Trump to Putin, may see the Russian leader in attendance, as hinted by the Kremlin earlier this year.
During an unrelated press briefing, Carney was questioned about potential topics for discussion with Putin at the December summit. Carney expressed his intent to deliver a straightforward message, emphasizing the need for Russia to withdraw from Ukraine, return all territories to Ukraine, and cease the ongoing conflict, which is resulting in significant casualties.
When asked whether the Trump administration should reconsider the invitation to Putin, Carney noted that while there are valid concerns about inviting Putin, the decision ultimately lies with the host country. Notably, Putin has not attended a G20 summit since the commencement of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, for which he faces an active arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court.
Meanwhile, Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne highlighted the discomfort caused by the presence of Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov at a recent G20 finance ministers’ meeting in Asheville, N.C. Champagne reiterated Canada’s unwavering support for Ukraine and emphasized the importance of voicing concerns regarding Russia’s participation.
In related developments, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is anticipated to visit Canada in the coming week. Zelenskyy previously met with Carney in Halifax before engaging in discussions with Trump in the U.S. to address the conflict in Ukraine.
Carney’s stance echoes that of former Prime Minister Stephen Harper during the 2014 G20 summit, where Harper directly urged Putin to withdraw from Ukraine following the annexation of Crimea.
Despite recent drone strikes by Russia in Kyiv, there have been optimistic statements from both sides regarding the prospect of peace. Putin mentioned potential support for a peace settlement from various countries, including the U.S. and China.
In conclusion, while external efforts are appreciated, the resolution of the conflict ultimately rests with Russia and Ukraine. The return of active political and diplomatic engagement globally indicates a potential shift towards progress in achieving peace in the region.
