Prime Minister Mark Carney has expressed his intention 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 hosting the annual event, and President Donald Trump has extended an invitation to Putin, which the Kremlin has indicated they may accept.
Carney made his remarks during an unrelated press briefing, emphasizing that his message to Putin would be direct and simple: urging him to withdraw from Ukraine, return all territories to Ukraine, and end the ongoing conflict that has resulted in significant casualties.
When questioned about whether the Trump administration should retract the invitation to Putin, Carney acknowledged that there are valid concerns but stated that it is ultimately the host’s decision on who to invite.
Putin has not attended a G20 summit since the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, which led to an active arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court against him. Earlier this week, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent hosted a meeting with G20 finance ministers in Asheville, N.C., where Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov was present.
Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne expressed discomfort over Siluanov’s attendance, highlighting Canada’s unwavering support for Ukraine and ensuring that their concerns were heard during the meeting. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is expected to visit Canada soon, following his previous visit in December for discussions with Carney and Trump regarding the conflict in Ukraine.
Carney’s approach to addressing Putin’s actions mirrors former Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s stance during the 2014 G20 summit, where Harper directly urged Putin to withdraw from Ukraine after annexing Crimea.
Despite recent drone strikes by Russia in Kyiv, both sides have indicated some optimism about the prospects for peace, with Putin mentioning support from various countries, including the U.S. and China, for a potential peace settlement.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha expressed hope for progress in peace efforts, hinting at increased diplomatic engagement globally. He emphasized that the resolution ultimately lies with Russia and Ukraine, thanking all parties involved in the peace process and hinting at a potential positive outcome.
Sybiha encouraged reporters to stay updated on the developments, suggesting a renewed momentum in diplomatic initiatives.