Harper tells Putin to get “get out of Ukraine”
BRISBANE, Australia – Stephen Harper had a showdown with Vladimir Putin on Saturday, telling the Russian leader to “get out of Ukraine” in a dustup at the Group of 20 summit in Australia.
Harper’s spokesman, Jason MacDonald, said the prime minister was speaking to a group of G20 leaders at a private leaders’ retreat on Saturday morning when Putin approached and extended his hand.
MacDonald said Harper told Putin: “I guess I’ll shake your hand but I have only one thing to say to you: You need to get out of Ukraine.”
According to MacDonald, Putin did not respond positively. He didn’t provide further details.