Prime Minister Mark Carney has expressed his intention to keep any interaction with Russian President Vladimir Putin brief during the upcoming G20 summit. The annual summit is set to take place in Miami, hosted by the United States, with President Donald Trump extending an invitation to Putin. Carney, speaking at an unrelated press conference, outlined his straightforward message to Putin: to withdraw from Ukraine, return all territories to Ukraine, and cease the ongoing conflict that is resulting in significant casualties.
Addressing the question of whether the Trump administration should rescind the invitation to Putin, Carney acknowledged there are valid reasons to exclude him but emphasized that it is within the host’s discretion to extend invitations. Putin has not attended a G20 summit since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, and an active arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court hangs over him.
During a recent meeting of G20 finance ministers in Asheville, N.C., tension arose due to the presence of Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov, causing discomfort among attendees, including Canada’s Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne. Champagne reiterated Canada’s unwavering support for Ukraine and emphasized the importance of conveying their concerns.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is scheduled to visit Canada soon, following his last meeting with Carney in Halifax and subsequent talks with Trump to seek resolution to the conflict. Carney’s stance echoes former Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s direct message to Putin at the 2014 G20 summit regarding Crimea.
Despite recent drone strikes in Kyiv by Russia, both sides expressed some optimism about the prospect of peace, with Putin suggesting support from various countries for a potential peace settlement. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha highlighted a new momentum in diplomatic efforts for peace, indicating a positive shift in global engagement on the issue.
In conclusion, while external support is appreciated in the peace process, the ultimate resolution lies in direct engagement between Russia and Ukraine. The diplomatic community remains hopeful for progress towards a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
