The Canadian-Ukrainian Congress wants Canada to step up pressure on the Vladimir Putin regime and lead a global charge to expel Russia from the G20.
Speaker of Congress Alexandra Chyczij has written to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau asking him to take steps to expel Russia from the forum of major world economies.
Chyczij said that Russia is using the G20 as a platform to lie about its reasons for invading Ukraine.
Congress is concerned that if Putin is allowed to attend the G20 heads of state and government meeting in Bali, Indonesia, in November, he would send the wrong message and undermine the G20’s credibility.
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It would also make it difficult for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to attend the summit as a guest.
Foreign Minister Melanie Joly will attend the G20 foreign ministers’ meeting in Indonesia this week, although her Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov is also expected to attend.
Joly told The Canadian Press that he would not shake Lavrov’s hand and plans to use the opportunity to expose Russian lies about the invasion.
In March, Joly joined others leaving a United Nations meeting in Geneva when Lavrov, who had been hit with sanctions by Canada days earlier, began speaking.
In his letter, Chyczij noted that the Canadian Parliament has declared that Russia is committing genocide in Ukraine.
Because of this and the government’s policy of isolating the Russian Federation from the international community, the congress said that Canada should lead the process of expelling Russia from the G20.
In 2014, Prime Minister Stephen Harper said he wanted leaders to kick Russia out of the G8 group of industrialized nations after its annexation of Crimea by Ukraine. After Russia’s membership was suspended indefinitely, the remaining nations became known as the G7.
Chyczij said Canada should “show the same bold leadership in calling for Russia’s removal from the G20.”
Since the invasion of Ukraine, Joly and other ministers have refused to share the floor when Russia speaks at summits.
In March, Joly joined others leaving a United Nations meeting in Geneva when Lavrov, who had been hit with sanctions by Canada days earlier, began speaking.
In April, Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland joined a walkout at a G20 meeting of finance ministers and central bank governors in Washington to protest Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
In May, International Trade Minister Mary Ng joined her counterparts from the United States, Australia, Japan and New Zealand leaving an APEC meeting in Bangkok when the Russian representative began speaking.
In an interview after the strike, Ng said it would not be a “one-time” thing and that she would be prepared to do it again.
Last week, Trudeau said Canada would participate in the G20 leaders’ meeting in November even if Putin also attends, arguing that it is important to counter Russia’s voice at that table.
Canada’s assistance with Russia in Indonesia creates a diplomatic situation at the G20, including this week’s foreign ministers’ summit in Bali.
Joly recently said it was unacceptable for a Canadian official to attend a reception hosted by the Russian embassy in Ottawa.
And Russia’s foreign minister has been one of the most vocal defenders of the invasion and Putin’s justifications.
Orest Zakydalsky, senior policy adviser to the congress, urged Joly and other foreign ministers to leave the G20 if Lavrov speaks.
“There is nothing to be gained by sitting back and listening to a liar who tries to justify Putin’s war,” he said.
© 2022 The Canadian Press