Sunak will use global summit in Indonesia to confront Russia

RISHI Sunak will “unequivocally condemn” Russia’s war in Ukraine at this week’s G20 summit, but appeared to acknowledge that the group was divided on the issue of explicitly criticising the invasion.

The Prime Minister touched down in Bali, Indonesia, yesterday ahead of the two-day gathering of leaders of the world’s major economies.

The event looks set to be dominated by the fallout from the Ukraine war, which has exacerbated global economic challenges, pushing up food and energy prices around the world.

Divisions over the conflict are so deep that there is uncertainty over whether leaders will be able to agree a communique. There will be no condemnation of the invasion as Russia, a G20 member, will not agree to condemn itself. While Western leaders have unanimously rebuked Russia’s President Vladimir Putin for the conflict, some G20 countries, including China and India, have remained neutral.

Asked about the apparent impossibility of jointly criticising Moscow, Mr Sunak told broadcasters in Bali: “The G7 is a group of like-minded liberal democracies with similar values. The G20, we have to acknowledge, is a different grouping, but... we should make our voices heard.”

Mr Sunak plans to use today’s first plenary session in Bali to confront Russia’s representative, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

The Prime Minister said: “I’m going to use this opportunity to unequivocally condemn Russia’s hostile and illegal war in Ukraine.”