When it comes to Syria, Harper says Putin stands alone among other G8 leaders

DUBLIN, Ireland – Prime Minister Stephen Harper says he is drawing a clear line between Russian President Vladimir Putin and the rest of the G8 leaders when it comes to Syria.

Harper says it’s clear that it’s really seven countries against one—Russia—and that he does not expect Putin to drop his long-standing support of the regime of Syrian President Bashar Assad.

“Look, I think that dialogue will be interesting. I think it’s important to have that kind of dialogue. But I don’t think we should fool ourselves. This is G7 plus one. OK, let’s be blunt. That’s what this is, G7 plus one,” Harper said Sunday.

“We in the west have a very different perspective on this situation. Mr. Putin and his government are supporting the thugs of the Assad regime for their own reasons that I do not think are justifiable, and Mr. Putin knows my view on that.”

“But we will not, unless there’s a big shift of position on his part, we’re not going to get a common position with him at the G8.”

Topping the agenda at the annual meeting of leaders of the world’s eight richest countries is how to end the bloody conflict that has now raged for two years in Syria.

Tensions escalated this past week after the United States announced it would begin arming opponents of Assad’s regime because it has proof chemical weapons were used against the rebels.

Russia – which is in the G8 and has a permanent seat on the United Nations security council – has dismissed those U.S. claims, saying they’re based on flimsy evidence.

Harper is in Dublin, where on Sunday he met Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny, ahead of the G8 summit.

He says the rest of the G8 and NATO need to find a way to end the Syrian conflict without Russia.

“I think what’s important,” Harper said, “is that we continue to work with our allies in the G7 and in NATO to see how we can move the situation in a positive direction where we get the transition towards a government that is genuinely representative, broadly based, democratic, not a threat to the world and certainly, not embracing of terrorist or extremist elements.”

Earlier Sunday, Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird told CTV and Global News that he is loathe to criticize the U.S. for arming the rebels, and he expressed confidence the Americans will be careful about who they give weapons to.

But Harper ruled out – for now – Canada arming the rebels.

“We are not, in Canada at the present time, we are not contemplating arming the opposition in Syria,” Harper said.

“I understand – fully understand – why our allies would do that, particularly given recent actions by Russia, Iran and others. But our aid, at the present time and our aid for now, will continue to be humanitarian aid.”