Prime Minister Mark Carney has stated that any encounter with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the upcoming G20 summit will be brief. The summit, to be held in Miami and hosted by the U.S., may see Putin’s attendance as indicated by the Kremlin earlier this year.
Carney, responding to questions during an unrelated press briefing, shared his straightforward message for Putin if they meet: a demand for the cessation of the conflict in Ukraine, urging Putin to withdraw from the country and end the ongoing war that claims thousands of lives monthly.
When questioned about the potential withdrawal of the invitation to Putin by the Trump administration, Carney acknowledged the valid reasons for such an action but emphasized that the decision ultimately lies with the host country.
Putin has not participated in a G20 summit since the invasion of Ukraine in 2022, with an active arrest warrant issued against him by the International Criminal Court. Notably, Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov recently attended a G20 finance ministers’ meeting in Asheville, N.C., hosted by U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.
Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne expressed discomfort over Siluanov’s presence at the meeting and reiterated Canada’s unwavering support for Ukraine. Zelenskyy is anticipated to visit Canada in the coming week, with his previous visit in December involving discussions with Carney and Trump aimed at resolving the conflict.
Carney’s stance mirrors that of former Prime Minister Stephen Harper, who, in 2014, urged Putin to leave Ukraine during the G20 summit. Despite recent drone strikes in Kyiv by Russia, both sides have shown optimism for peace prospects, with Putin mentioning international support for a peaceful resolution.
Efforts for peace are being actively pursued by various nations, with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha expressing hope for progress in diplomatic engagements to resolve the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.