Prime Minister Mark Carney intends to keep any potential conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin brief if they meet at the upcoming G20 summit in Miami. The United States is organizing the annual event, with President Donald Trump expressing a desire for Putin to participate. The Kremlin has hinted at Putin’s possible attendance following an invitation extended in the spring.
When questioned during an unrelated news briefing, Carney shared that if he encounters Putin at the December summit, his message would be straightforward: urging Putin to withdraw from Ukraine, return all Ukrainian territories, and end the deadly conflict that claims thousands of lives monthly.
In response to inquiries about whether the Trump administration should reconsider the invitation to Putin, Carney acknowledged valid reasons to exclude Putin but emphasized that the hosting country has the discretion to invite whomever they choose.
Putin has not attended a G20 summit since the onset of his full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, for which the International Criminal Court has issued an active arrest warrant against him. The recent G20 finance ministers’ meeting held in Asheville, N.C., saw the presence of Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov, causing unease, as noted by Canadian Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne.
Champagne emphasized Canada’s unwavering support for Ukraine amidst discomfort over Russia’s involvement in the meeting. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is anticipated to visit Canada soon, following his previous visit in December for discussions with Carney and Trump aimed at resolving the conflict.
Carney’s stance mirrors former Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s direct message to Putin during the 2014 G20 summit regarding Ukraine. Despite recent drone strikes in Kyiv by Russia, both sides have expressed cautious optimism about the prospects for peace, with Putin mentioning potential support from countries like the U.S. and China for a peace settlement.
While various entities strive to contribute to a resolution, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha expressed hope for a renewed dynamic in peace efforts, signaling increased political and diplomatic engagement worldwide. He suggested staying updated with the latest news for further developments.