ST. PETERBSURG, Russia—Canada is holding out little hope of reaching a compromise with Russia on the continuing violence and alleged use of chemical weapons in Syria, as Prime Minister Stephen Harper and fellow leaders arrive in St. Petersburg for the G20 summit.
A hastily organized meeting of foreign ministers on the sidelines appears designed to keep the larger economic forum from getting completely swamped with talk of the political crisis.
Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird is on his way to that meeting but he is throwing cold water on the prospect of a larger consensus on how to respond to a chemical attack launched against civilians two weeks ago in a Damascus suburb.
He says Russian president and summit host Vladimir Putin has long backed the Syrian regime of Bashar Assad, and is showing no sign of changing his mind.
Baird says Russia’s “great intractability” to work with others is a major part of the Syria problem.
U.S. President Barack Obama also expressed frustration Wednesday about Russia’s position. Speaking in Sweden on his way to the summit, Obama said relations with Russia have “hit a wall,” but also expressed confidence that the two countries can work together on some issues.
With files from The Canadian Press
