Wrangling over Ukraine war dominates summit of G20 major economies
NUSA DUA, Indonesia — A Western-led push to condemn Russia’s invasion of Ukraine dominated Tuesday’s Group of 20 (G20) summit on the Indonesian island of Bali where leaders of major economies grappled with a dizzying array of issues from hunger to nuclear threats.
President Vladimir Putin’s Feb. 24 invasion of neighbouring Ukraine has pummelled the global economy and revived Cold War-era geopolitical divisions just as the world was emerging from the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic.
As at other recent international forums, the United States and its allies were seeking a statement from the two-day G20 summit against Moscow’s military actions.
But Russia, whose forces pounded cities and energy facilities across Ukraine even as the G20 met, said “politicization” of the summit was unfair.
“Yes, there is a war going on in Ukraine, a hybrid war that the West has unleashed and been preparing for years,” said Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, repeating Putin’s line that military alliance NATO’S expansion had threatened Russia.
A 16-page draft declaration seen by Reuters, which diplomats said was yet to be adopted by leaders, acknowledged the rift.
“Most members strongly condemned the war in Ukraine and stressed it is causing immense human suffering and exacerbating existing fragilities in the global economy,” it said.
“There were other views and different assessments of the situation and sanctions.”
The 20 nations account for more than 80 per cent of the world’s gross domestic product, 75 per cent of international trade and 60 per cent of its population.
‘SAVE THE WORLD’
Hosts Indonesia pleaded for unity and a focus on problems like inflation, hunger and high energy prices, all exacerbated by the war.
“We have no other option, collaboration is needed to save the world,” said Indonesian President Joko Widodo.
“G20 must be the catalyst for inclusive economic recovery. We should not divide the world into parts. We must not allow the world to fall into another Cold War.”
The draft summit document also said G20 central banks would calibrate monetary tightening with an eye on the global inflation problem, while fiscal stimulus should be “temporary and targeted” to help the vulnerable while not hiking prices.
On debt, it voiced concern about the “deteriorating” situation of some middle-income countries and stressed the importance of all creditors sharing a fair burden.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy told the summit in a virtual address that it was time to implement a 10-point peace plan he has proposed. Kyiv is demanding a full Russian withdrawal from occupied territories.
Zelenskiy called for restoring “radiation safety” at the Russian-held Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, price restrictions on Russian energy resources, and an expanded grain export initiative.