Leaders to condemn Russia’s Ukraine invasion, urge an end
NUSA DUA, INDONESIA — Leaders of most of the world’s economic powers are nearing approval of a declaration strongly denouncing Russia’s inva- sion that has devastated Ukraine and roiled the global economy. Even China, which has mostly declined to censure Russia until now, and India, which buys weapons from Russia, are providing encour- aging words.
On Tuesday, U.S. Pres- i dent Joe Biden and Ukrainian President Volo- dymyr 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, even including a COVID- 19 scare when Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen tested positive and flew home. No other leaders were reported positive.
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 becoming entangled in antagonisms between 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 a 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.”