Anand says she called out Russian counterpart invited by U.S. to G20 ministerial

OTTAWA– Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand states Russia must not have actually participated in a G20 satisfying the U.S. hosted on Friday, however she still utilized the chance to make a point to Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

“I was sitting at a table straight throughout from Sergei Lavrov and I looked him in the eye,” she informed The Canadian Press on Friday.

“I incontrovertibly mentioned that Russia has actually devoted dreadful criminal offenses in its war versus Ukraine, consisting of ravaging worldwide energy and food supply chains.”

Anand went to a G20 conference of foreign ministers in Atlanta on Friday. The American hosts took the non-traditional action of cancelling the standard picture of all participants after European diplomats challenged being envisioned with Lavrov.

Anand stated her Russian equivalent reacted to her remark.

“Lavrov, in return, attempted Kremlin talking points, among which was, ‘We do not utilize energy to settle political ratings.’ He implicated the EU of slavery and piracy for taking Russian vessels in the shadow fleet,” she stated, describing vessels that obscure their origin to export Russian oil.

U.S. President Donald Trump has actually drawn back assistance for Ukraine’s defence versus Russia’s major intrusion. Trump signed a diesel offer that will provide countless dollars to Moscow’s war effort and Ukraine has actually reported issues with its access to important American satellite innovation.

Anand stated she got here in Atlanta after the “household image” was set to take place, following conferences in Montreal with EU authorities.

“I do not wish to have my image taken with Sergei Lavrov, in any case,” she stated, including she likewise raised Russia’s kidnapping of Ukrainian kids and attacks on vessels in the Black Sea.

Lavrov recommended at a press conference that western nations are not major about discussion with Russia.

“All they appreciate is having me in a photo, which’s it,” he stated through an interpreter.

Anand stated a significant issue of almost all G20 nations is maritime security. Russian strikes on Ukrainian grain vessels in the Black Sea are stopping deliveries establishing nations depend on for food. Iran has actually considerably minimized shipping in the important Strait of Hormuz in action to the U.S. war on Tehran.

“The strength of the G20 remains in discovering the points of cumulative arrangement,” Anand stated.

“No one disagrees with the point that there must be liberty of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, that there is a requirement to make sure safe passage of ships bring fertilizer in the Black Sea … other than Lavrov.”

She stated she motivated G20 countries to aim to Canada for their energy requires.

Anand likewise stated Canada opposes the U.S. leaving out South Africa from the G20 conferences it is hosting this year. Washington has actually made incorrect claims about a genocide targeting white South Africans.

“South Africa ought to exist,” she stated. “Canada shares South Africa’s interest in protecting a reliable, inclusive and operating G20 that can resolving worldwide financial difficulties.”

Canada and the European Union concluded a significant top in Montreal Friday, a day after the release of Canada’s very first nationwide security technique in years and ahead of next week’s Commonwealth top.

“This is diplomacy in an extremely focused time period, with much activity and wins for Canada on the international phase,” Anand stated.

Anand will head to Antigua and Barbuda for the Commonwealth top. Prime Minister Mark Carney will sign up with the top Monday.

“Canada supports a strong and reliable Commonwealth required on democracy, consisting of through the Commonwealth ministerial action group,” Anand stated, describing the body that uses up human rights problems.

This report by The Canadian Press was very first released Oct. 30, 2026.