Canada quietly reaches out to Russia for talks on Syria, Ukraine
| OTTAWA-
Although Canada is taking a tough line with Russia in public, a senior
Canadian diplomat quietly visited Moscow for talks on Ukraine and Syria
earlier this month, prompting opposition concerns Ottawa might move to
ease its sanctions.
Mark Gwozdecky, the foreign ministry's political director, met Russian
deputy foreign minister Sergei Ryabkov on Nov 1 for talks on issues such
as arms control as well as Ukraine and the war in Syria, according to
the Russian foreign ministry.
The visit was the first of its kind by a top Canadian official since
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's Liberals took power a year ago from the
Conservatives, who imposed punitive measures over the actions of
Russian-backed militants in Ukraine.
The Liberals also condemn Moscow's intervention. Foreign Minister
Stephane Dion on Friday urged all countries to remain firm about
upholding sanctions. But they also say they want to discuss matters of
mutual interest.
The twin messages have Canada's foreign partners watching for any shift
in policy at a time when U.S. President elect Donald Trump has indicated
he will seek a rapprochement with Russia.
"There are too many important issues for us, from the Arctic to the
devastating situation in Syria, not to be raising those directly with
them," said Joe Pickerill, chief spokesman for Dion.
"Canada does not need interlocutors to raise its concerns, nor will we
shout them from the sidelines. This government will raise the issues
directly."
Gwozdecky visited Moscow shortly before Trump's election victory. If
Trump follows through on his promise to forge closer ties with Putin,
the transatlantic and European front against Russia could crumble.
Other nations, such as Japan and Germany, have sent diplomats to Moscow in recent months.
Peter Kent, foreign affairs critic for the opposition Conservatives,
said Dion was giving more priority to normalizing relations with Russia
"than any new sanctions or even maintaining some of them."
Canada has a large and influential Ukrainian community which wholeheartedly supported the Conservative sanctions.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Monday told reporters that on some
issues, such as the Arctic and counter terrorism, there was a chance to
"at least have constructive dialogue with Russia in which our desired
outcomes are more closely aligned."
(Reporting by David Ljunggren; Editing by Andrew Hay)
