Former Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper characterized Russian President Vladimir Putin as a “real-life Bond villain” and condemned him as “an evil man” during a recent speech. Harper expressed his dismay at Putin’s lack of moral compass, despite acknowledging his intelligence and work ethic. The remarks were made during a session at the Council of State Governments Midwestern Legislative Conference in Saskatoon, where Harper highlighted Putin’s role in dismantling democracy in Russia.
Harper’s criticism of Putin is not new, dating back to 2014 when he publicly reprimanded Putin over the annexation of Crimea. Harper revealed that he intentionally maintained a strained relationship with Putin, often challenging him on various issues to unsettle the Russian leader.
During the conference, Harper also addressed the strained relationship between Canada and the U.S., particularly under the Trump administration. He expressed Canadian concerns over the administration’s aggressive trade policies and emphasized the need for Canada to assert its independence in trade negotiations.
Harper highlighted the importance of Canada investing more in defense, a stance that contrasts with his government’s previous budget cuts in that area. He acknowledged the necessity of meeting NATO defense spending targets and emphasized the need for Canada to prioritize defense-related projects in the coming years.
Harper’s remarks underscore the ongoing tensions in global politics and the evolving dynamics between world leaders. The former prime minister’s strong stance on Putin and defense spending reflects Canada’s commitment to its values and interests in the international arena.