Canada’s deputy prime minister is calling for Russia to no longer be part of the G20 and G7 economic groups.
Chrystia Freeland made the comments following the meetings involving the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank Group in Washington.
The meetings were marked by some leaders, including Freeland, walking out when Russia tried to intervene.
“You can’t be a poacher and a game keeper at the same time,” said Freeland. “You can’t be violating probably the most fundamental principle which is in the UN Charter which is the foundation of our ability as countries to work together. And that principle is: you don’t invade and try to takeover another country.”
Freeland called the situation absurd.
“The central challenge which the global economy is facing right now is Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine,” she said. “And we can’t really talk about it with Russia in the group.”
Food insecurity is rising around the globe and Ukraine is considered the bread basket of the developing world. Freeland says the big challenge in Ukraine is not a shortage of food, it’s the inability to get the food to ports.
Canada recently pledged another $1 billion through the IMF in direct assistance to the Ukrainian government for a total of $1.6 billion in loans and grants. That’s on top of $900 million dollars in military aid.
Ukrainian finance minister Sergii Marchenko was also in attendance. He spoke alongside Freeland following the meetings and thank Canada for its support.
“That Canadian support, the support of the Canadian people which we see right now is unprecedented and for that I want to thank you,” Marchenko said. “And I want to tell you that we are struggling…and in our way we will win this war.”
