Andrea Shalal and David Lawder

WASHINGTON, (Reuters) – Chrystia Freeland, Canada’s Finance Minister, went beyond the realm of economic policy to warn her Russian counterparts to not invade Ukraine at a G20 financial meeting. Two sources close to her comments said that she was “passionate” about her warning.

Freeland addressed Anton Siluanov, Russian Finance Minister, and Elvira Nabinullina (Central Bank Governor) during a contentious G20 Meeting hosted by Indonesia and advised them of the “crushing sanctions” Russia could face in case of invasion.

Freeland stated to them that Ukraine would be invaded if it happens, according one of the sources. The economic sanctions against Russia will come quickly, will be coordinated and will be devastating. This course of action is agreed upon by likeminded countries. Und we stand united and determined.”

Adrienne Vaupshas (Freeland’s press representative) did not reply to Reuters’ request for comment regarding her speech. Freeland attended the meeting through a Web link via Ottawa.

Sources claim that Freeland (previously Canada’s foreign Minister) took the opportunity to meet with influential Russian policymakers during a crucial moment of tensions on the Ukraine-Russian border. Russia is home to more than 100,000 troops.

According to sources, Freeland stated that “Do not harm yourself in doing so.” Let’s make sure that we don’t endanger this collective, both economically and otherwise.

According to a second source, the Russian officials responded “passionately” to Freeland’s speech. They said reports of the imminent invasion threat were false news.

G20 finance officers argued Friday over language in communique language that described geopolitical threats to the global economic system. A final statement was made after oppositions from China and Russia.

As markets worried about the possibility of war in Ukraine, the communique was delayed by disagreements on this topic and the treatment of poor debtor countries.

Freeland was fluently Russian-speaking and served once as the Financial Times Moscow bureau chief. His grandfather was born in Ukraine. According to the first source, Freeland said in English, “You may believe that there are no democracies in the world. Do not be afraid to doubt or doubt us.