Ambassador says interactions with Russia 'quite limited' but 'not unfriendly'

Canada's ambassador to Russia says while Ottawa has 'grave concerns' about the Kremlin's 'longer-term trends,' the war in Ukraine is 'a primary barrier to a change in the relationship.'

Canada’s ambassador to Russia says while Ottawa has “grave concerns” about the Kremlin’s “longer-term trends,” as they relate to human rights violations and democratic development, the war in Ukraine is “a primary barrier to a change in the relationship.”

In her first television interview since taking the job last November, Sarah Taylor told CTV’s Question Period host Vassy Kapelos that diplomatic relations are “not a gift we give to friends,” but rather “a tool we use to advance Canadian interests.”

“The Russians term us an ‘unfriendly’ country, that's the expression they use,” she said. “But I mean, from my perspective, we're not unfriendly, we're just waiting for them to change their policy.”

Taylor — whose interview airs Sunday at 11 a.m. EDT — described her interactions with Russian officials as “formal,” and “very correct,” though “quite limited.”

“Of course, my starting point has to be our very strong opposition to Russia's illegal, unjustified war in Ukraine,” she said.

Canada has condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine since its outset, in February 2022. And In the last decade, Canada has issued sanctions against nearly 700 entities, and more than 1,500 Russian individuals, including as recently as last month, in a bid to undermine Russia's ability to acquire weapons from North Korea.

“If they were to end this war, then obviously, you know, our relations would be on a very different footing,” Taylor also said. “So that really is sort of what dominates the conversations.”