Prime Minister Mark Carney plans to keep any potential conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin brief if they meet at the upcoming G20 summit hosted by the U.S. in Miami. President Donald Trump has expressed his desire for Putin to attend, which was hinted at by the Kremlin earlier this year.
Carney, during an unrelated press briefing, mentioned that his message to Putin would be straightforward: to cease the conflict in Ukraine, return control to Ukraine, and put an end to the ongoing violence that is causing significant casualties monthly.
When asked about the possibility of the Trump administration rescinding the invitation to Putin, Carney noted that while there are valid reasons to exclude Putin, it ultimately falls under the host’s discretion to invite whomever they choose.
Putin has refrained from attending G20 summits since the commencement of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, with an active arrest warrant issued against him by the International Criminal Court.
At the recent G20 finance ministers’ meeting in Asheville, N.C., hosted by U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov’s presence caused discomfort among attendees, as pointed out by Canada’s Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne.
Champagne emphasized Canada’s unwavering support for Ukraine and highlighted the discomfort expressed over Russia’s involvement at the meeting. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is anticipated to visit Canada in the coming week, following his last visit in December, where he met with Carney in Halifax and then held discussions with Trump in the U.S. to explore peace resolutions.
Carney’s stance mirrors former Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s confrontation with Putin at the 2014 G20 summit, where Harper reportedly urged Putin to withdraw from Ukraine post the annexation of Crimea.
Despite recent drone strikes by Russia in Kyiv, both sides surprisingly expressed optimism regarding the prospects of peace, with Putin acknowledging support from various countries, including the U.S. and China, for a potential peace settlement.
Various officials, including Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, have shown positive anticipation for progress in peace efforts, hinting at increased diplomatic engagements worldwide. The resolution of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine remains a priority, with hopes for a peaceful resolution actively pursued by multiple parties involved.
