G20 nations consider resolution condemning Russian invasion

NUSA DUA, Indonesia — Leaders from the Group of 20 (G20) nations were considering a draft resolution on Tuesday in which most members strongly condemn the war in Ukraine and stress it was exacerbating fragilities in the global economy, diplomats said.

“There were other views and different assessments of the situation and sanctions,” said the 16page draft declaration, a copy of which was seen by Reuters.

“Recognizing that the G20 is not the forum to resolve security issues, we acknowledge that security issues can have significant consequences for the global economy,” it said.

The document has yet to be adopted by the summit and could be changed.

G20 ministers’ gatherings in the past have failed to produce joint declarations due to disagreement between Russia and other members on language, including on how to describe the war in Ukraine.

The summit, being held on the Indonesian island of Bali, marks the first time the G20 leaders are meeting since Russia’s February invasion of Ukraine, which Russia has described as a “special military operation”.

The war and worries over global inflation, food and energy security have overshadowed the meeting.

Earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told the summit in a virtual address that now was the time to stop Russia’s war in his country “justly and on the basis of the U.N. Charter and international law”.

He called for restoring “radiation safety” with regard to the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, introducing price restrictions on Russian energy resources, and expanding a grain export initiative.

He also called for all Ukrainian prisoners to be released.

“Please choose your path for leadership — and together we will surely implement the peace formula,” he said.

The summit opened earlier in the day with a plea by Indonesian President Joko Widodo for unity and concrete action to mend the global economy despite deep rifts over the war.

“We have no other option, collaboration is needed to save the world,” he said. “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 G20, which includes countries ranging from the United States, Russia and Brazil to India, Saudi Arabia and Germany, accounts for more than 80% of the world’s gross domestic product, 75% of international trade and 60% of its population.

The war triggered calls by some Western leaders for a boycott of the summit and for the withdrawal of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invitation.

Indonesia resisted, refusing to withdraw Mr. Putin’s invitation.

Russia has said Mr. Putin was too busy to attend the summit with Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov taking his place. Mr. Lavrov dismissed a news agency report on Monday that he had been taken to hospital in Bali with a heart condition and was present at the meeting.

However, it was not clear if he remained in the room while Zelensky made his address.—