World · Europe · 19 hrs ago
Russia and Canada discuss relations as diplomatic tensions persist
Canada’s new ambassador to Russia, Robert Brookfield, met Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov in Moscow on October 23.
Brookfield presented copies of his credentials at the protocol meeting.
Russia’s Foreign Ministry described relations between the two countries as being in a systemic crisis.
It said the meeting addressed the need to stabilize conditions for Russia’s diplomatic presence in Canada.
Separately, Russian Foreign Ministry official Alexander Gusarov said he did not expect relations to improve if Canada maintained its current approach.
The meeting did not announce a change in policy or outline further steps.
Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov met Canada’s newly appointed ambassador, Robert Brookfield, in Moscow on October 23.
The meeting addressed aspects of what Russia described as a systemic crisis in relations between the two countries.
Russia’s Foreign Ministry said the need to stabilize the conditions for Russia’s diplomatic presence in Canada was emphasized.
Russian Foreign Ministry official Alexander Gusarov said he did not expect positive changes in relations under Canada’s current approach.
- Who
- Sergei Ryabkov, Russia’s deputy foreign minister, and Robert Brookfield, Canada’s newly appointed ambassador to Russia.
- What
- They discussed aspects of the crisis in Russian-Canadian relations.
- When
- October 23, 2026.
- Where
- Moscow.
- Why
- To discuss the state of bilateral relations and the conditions for Russia’s diplomatic presence in Canada.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Russian ambassador Oleg Stepanov said Canada had twice refused Russia’s requests to extradite Yaroslav Hunka.
Stepanov said Russia would respond immediately if its property in Canada were targeted.
Ryabkov met Brookfield in Moscow to discuss aspects of the crisis in bilateral relations.
- Meeting date
- October 23, 2026
- Russian deputy foreign minister
- Sergei Ryabkov
- Canadian ambassador to Russia
- Robert Brookfield
- Meeting location
- Moscow
- Russian official commenting on relations
- Alexander Gusarov
3 sources
Рябков обсудил с новым послом Канады аспекты кризиса в российско-канадских отношениях
О встрече заместителя Министра иностранных дел России С.А.Рябкова с назначенным Послом Канады в Москве Р.Брукфилдом - Министерство иностранных дел Российской Федерации
МИД РФ: власти Канады одержимы русофобией, сдвигов в отношениях не ожидается
What people are saying
Relations are now, unfortunately, hovering around zero, and if the Canadian authorities maintain this approach, it is difficult to forecast any shifts for the better or a positive outlook for these relations.
The need to stabilize the conditions for the functioning of Russia’s diplomatic presence in Canada was emphasized.