Russia’s war in focus at G20
A draft declaration by leaders of the G20 on Tuesday said ‘most’ members strongly condemned Russian invasion of Ukraine
NUSA DUA, INDONESIA: A Western-led push to condemn Russia’s invasion of Ukraine dominated on Tuesday’s Group of 20 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 February 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 pursuing a statement from the two-day G20 summit to condemn Moscow’s military actions.
But Russia said “politicisation” 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 summit is the first G20 leaders’ gathering since Russia sent its forces into Ukraine. The 20 nations account for more than 80% of the world’s gross domestic product, 75% of international trade and 60% of its population.
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.
But it did not mention China, which has been criticised in the West for delaying efforts to ease debt strains for some emerging economies.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told the summit in a virtual address that now was the time to stop Russia’s invasion and implement a 10-point peace plan he has proposed. Kyiv is demanding a full Russian withdrawal from occupied territories.
Zelensky called for restoring “radiation safety” at the Russianheld Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, price restrictions on Russian energy resources, and an expanded grain export initiative.
A US official said Washington wanted a clear G20 message against Russia’s invasion and its impact on the global economy, while German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said there were encouraging signs of consensus that the war was unacceptable.
Lavrov said he listened to Zelensky’s address. He accused him of prolonging the conflict and ignoring Western advice.
Russia has said Putin was too busy to attend the summit.