Prime Minister Mark Carney has stated that he plans to keep any potential discussion with Russian President Vladimir Putin brief if they meet at the upcoming G20 summit. The annual event is being hosted by the United States in Miami, with President Donald Trump expressing a desire for Putin to attend, a sentiment echoed by the Kremlin in the spring.
Carney, speaking at an unrelated press conference, outlined his intended message for Putin if they cross paths in December. He emphasized a straightforward approach, stating, “The message will be simple: ‘Get out of Ukraine, give back all of Ukraine to Ukraine, end this war which is killing more than 30,000 of your people every single month,’ and I’d leave it at that to be honest.”
When asked about the possibility of the Trump administration rescinding the invitation to Putin, Carney acknowledged there are valid concerns but affirmed that it is within the host country’s discretion to extend invitations. Putin has not participated in a G20 summit since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, with an active arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court against him.
During a recent gathering of G20 finance ministers in Asheville, N.C., hosted by U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov was present. Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne expressed discomfort over Siluanov’s attendance, emphasizing Canada’s unwavering support for Ukraine.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is anticipated to visit Canada in the coming week, following his previous visit in December, where he engaged in discussions with Carney and later with Trump regarding efforts to resolve the conflict.
Carney’s stance mirrors that of former Prime Minister Stephen Harper, who, during the 2014 G20 summit, urged Putin to “get out of Ukraine” following the annexation of Crimea. Despite recent drone strikes in Kyiv by Russia, both sides have conveyed optimism about the prospects for peace, with Putin mentioning support from various countries for a potential settlement.
As the situation continues to unfold, there is a sense of renewed engagement in peace efforts, with Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha expressing hope for progress through diplomatic channels. Sybiha emphasized the importance of active international involvement in seeking a resolution to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.