Prime Minister Mark Carney has expressed his intention to keep any potential conversation brief if he encounters Russian President Vladimir Putin at the upcoming G20 summit. The annual gathering, hosted by the United States in Miami, may see Putin attending, as suggested by the Kremlin earlier this year.
During an unrelated press briefing, Carney indicated that if he does engage with Putin at the summit in December, his message will be straightforward: urging Putin to withdraw from Ukraine, return all Ukrainian territories, and put an end to the deadly conflict that claims thousands of lives monthly.
When asked about the Trump administration’s invitation to Putin, Carney acknowledged the valid concerns but emphasized that it is the prerogative of the host to extend invitations. Putin has not participated in a G20 summit since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, and there is an active arrest warrant against him by the International Criminal Court.
Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne expressed discomfort over the presence of Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov at a recent G20 finance ministers’ meeting, highlighting Canada’s unwavering support for Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is set to visit Canada soon, with his last visit taking place in December for discussions with Carney and Trump on ending the conflict.
Carney’s stance echoes former Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s confrontation with Putin at the 2014 G20 summit, where he demanded Putin to leave Ukraine after annexing Crimea. Despite recent drone strikes in Kyiv by Russia, both sides have shown optimism about peace prospects, with Putin mentioning support from various countries for a peace settlement.
In the ongoing conflict, the resolution ultimately lies with Russia and Ukraine, according to Zelenskyy, who sees a new push for diplomatic engagement globally. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha expressed hope for progress in peace efforts but did not provide further details, urging everyone to stay informed.