G-20 to condemn Russia’s Ukraine invasion, urge end
NUSA DUA, Indonesia — Leaders of most world economic powers are nearing approval of a declaration denouncing Russia’s invasion that has devastated Ukraine and roiled the global economy. Even China and India are providing encouraging words.
On Tuesday, U.S. President Joe Biden and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy pressed fellow leaders for a robust condemnation of Russia’s nuclear threats and food embargoes.
More discussion and a possible vote come Wednesday at the summit, which has proved unusually eventful.
A draft declaration by leaders of the Group of 20 echoes the United Nations’ condemnation of Russia’s war on Ukraine, though acknowledging differing views among members.
The careful wording of the statement reflects tensions prevailing at the gathering, which includes leaders from Russia and China, and the challenge facing the U.S. and its allies to isolate Russian President Vladimir Putin’s government. Some nations want badly to avoid antagonising the biggest powers.
Still, if adopted in its current form, the declaration would be a strong rebuke of the war that has killed thousands, heightened global security tensions and disrupted the world economy. That would be an especially significant step since China and India abstained from condemning Russia’s aggression in the March U.N. resolution.
The draft statement seen Tuesday by The Associated Press “deplores in the strongest terms the aggression by the Russian Federation” and “demands its complete and unconditional withdrawal from the territory of Ukraine.” The G-20 statement does note that there are different views on the situation and on sanctions against Russia, saying that the G-20 is not the forum for resolving security issues.