Prime Minister Mark Carney has indicated that should he come across Russian President Vladimir Putin at the upcoming G20 summit in Miami, their conversation will be brief. The United States is hosting the event, and President Donald Trump has expressed interest in having Putin attend, with the Kremlin suggesting that Putin might accept the invitation.
During an unrelated press briefing, Carney was questioned about potential topics for discussion with Putin at the December summit. Carney stated that his message to Putin would be straightforward: urging him to withdraw from Ukraine, return all territories to Ukraine, and end the ongoing conflict that is claiming thousands of lives monthly.
When asked whether the Trump administration should reconsider the invitation to Putin, Carney acknowledged there are valid reasons to exclude him but emphasized that it is the host’s prerogative to extend invitations. Putin has not participated in a G20 summit since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, and the International Criminal Court has issued an arrest warrant for him.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent recently convened G20 finance ministers in Asheville, N.C., with Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov among the attendees. Canadian Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne expressed discomfort over Siluanov’s presence, highlighting Canada’s unwavering support for Ukraine and ensuring that their concerns were noted.
Reports suggest that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is scheduled to visit Canada next week, following his previous meeting with Carney in Halifax and subsequent talks with Trump to address the conflict. Carney’s stance mirrors former Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s direct message to Putin during the 2014 G20 summit, urging him to withdraw from Ukraine following the annexation of Crimea.
Despite recent drone strikes by Russia in Kyiv, both sides have expressed cautious optimism regarding peace prospects, with Putin mentioning support from various countries for a potential settlement. However, the ultimate resolution of the conflict is seen as dependent on direct engagement between Russia and Ukraine.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha has expressed optimism for a renewed diplomatic push for peace, hinting at increased engagement among global capitals. He refrained from providing further details but encouraged following the news for updates on the evolving situation.