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 gathering, hosted by the United States in Miami, may see Putin in attendance, as indicated by the Kremlin earlier this year.
Carney, speaking at an unrelated news conference, outlined his straightforward message to Putin if they cross paths at the summit in December. He emphasized the need for Putin to “get out of Ukraine, return all of Ukraine to its rightful owners, and put an end to the ongoing conflict that is resulting in a significant loss of lives each month.”
When asked about the possibility of the Trump administration rescinding the invitation to Putin, Carney acknowledged that there are valid reasons for such a decision. However, he noted that it is ultimately the host’s prerogative to extend invitations.
Putin has not participated in a G20 summit since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, which led to an active arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court against him. Recently, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent convened G20 finance ministers in Asheville, N.C., with Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov present.
Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne highlighted the discomfort caused by Siluanov’s attendance at the meeting and reiterated Canada’s unwavering support for Ukraine. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is anticipated to visit Canada next week, following his previous meetings with Carney and Trump to discuss efforts to resolve the conflict.
Carney’s stance mirrors former Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s direct approach with Putin during the 2014 G20 summit, where Harper urged Putin to withdraw from Ukraine after the annexation of Crimea.
Despite recent drone strikes by Russia in Kyiv, both sides have expressed cautious optimism regarding peace prospects. Putin mentioned that several countries, including the U.S. and China, are prepared to assist in achieving a peaceful resolution.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha expressed hope for a new phase of political and diplomatic engagement to facilitate peace efforts, emphasizing the need for active involvement from various global capitals.