Prime Minister Mark Carney has made it clear that any encounter with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the upcoming G20 summit will be brief. The summit, hosted by the U.S. in Miami, has seen President Donald Trump express his desire for Putin to attend, with indications from the Kremlin suggesting Putin might accept the invitation.
During an unrelated press briefing, Carney was asked about the potential topics of discussion with Putin at the December summit. Carney stated that his message to Putin would be straightforward: “Get out of Ukraine, return all of Ukraine to its rightful owners, and put an end to the ongoing conflict that is claiming over 30,000 lives each month.”
When questioned about whether the Trump administration should retract the invitation to Putin, Carney remarked that although there are valid reasons to exclude Putin, the decision ultimately lies with the host.
Putin has been absent from G20 summits since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, with an active arrest warrant issued against him by the International Criminal Court. Recently, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent convened G20 finance ministers in Asheville, N.C., where Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov was in attendance.
Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne expressed discomfort over Siluanov’s presence at the meeting, affirming Canada’s unwavering support for Ukraine. Champagne emphasized that Canada’s concerns were vocalized during discussions.
Reports suggest that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is scheduled to visit Canada next week, following his last visit in December where he engaged in discussions with Carney and Trump to seek resolution to the conflict.
Carney’s stance mirrors that of former Prime Minister Stephen Harper, who, during the 2014 G20 summit, urged Putin to withdraw from Ukraine after the annexation of Crimea.
Despite recent drone strikes by Russia in Kyiv, both sides have conveyed optimism regarding peace negotiations. Putin highlighted the readiness of several countries, including the U.S. and China, to support a peaceful settlement.
In conclusion, Carney underscored the importance of the involved nations, Russia and Ukraine, resolving the conflict themselves. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha expressed hope for renewed diplomatic efforts, hinting at a new phase of engagement in global capitals to achieve peace.