Canadian Ambassador Alison Leclerc was summoned to the Russian Foreign Ministry amid concerns over what Moscow called the abuse of diplomatic status and its consequences. The Russian side cited unacceptable public remarks about the punishment of Vladimir Kara-Murza, a political figure labeled a foreign agent in Russia, as a key trigger for the meeting.
The Foreign Ministry informed Leclerc that the misuse of diplomatic privileges by embassy staff would have negative repercussions. Officials questioned whether Canada’s current approach toward bilateral relations with Russia would endure as a result of this incident and related actions.
Moscow framed the issue as part of a broader pattern of interference in Russia’s domestic affairs. Officials described Ottawa as pursuing an aggressive anti-Russian campaign and even advocating regime change in Russia, positioning these moves as direct intrusions into the country’s sovereignty.
Earlier in the day, Leclerc attended a court session in which Vladimir Kara-Murza received a verdict. The politician was sentenced to 25 years in a strict regime colony on charges including treason, forgery of military documents, and leading an organization deemed undesirable. The court also imposed a 400,000 ruble fine and banned him from journalism for seven years after release.
Reports indicate that representatives from the United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States were summoned to the Russian Foreign Ministry in connection with what Moscow described as interference in Russia’s internal affairs. The exchange underscored ongoing tensions in diplomatic relations between Russia and Western governments, with each side signaling that recent moves could shape future cooperation and policy alignment.
— Attribution: Statements from the Russian Foreign Ministry and related court proceedings are cited from official channels and subsequent summaries by international observers. —