Russia’s war against Ukraine, rift at G20 Bali summit

BALI, INDONESIA – The leaders of the world’s largest economy, the Group of 20 (G-20), began talks on Tuesday in Bali, Indonesia, which has been marred by divisions caused by the war in Ukraine.

A senior U.S. government official said at a press conference Tuesday morning that “most” members were expected to issue statements strongly condemning Russia’s war on Ukraine.

“Most members of the G-20 condemn Russia’s war in Ukraine and see Russia’s war in Ukraine as the root of immense economic and human suffering worldwide. I think we’re going to do it,” he said on condition of anonymity.

The statement, due to be released at the end of the summit later this week, is designed to show that the group is isolating G-20 member Russia. is.

Leaders largely agreed on the three pillars of the G20 priorities that Indonesia has been pushing as the Presidency: Digital Architecture, Energy Transition and Digital Transformation, but the statement on Russia was either a joint communique or is a difficulty for producing an agreed declaration. A final party to the summit looks unlikely, diplomatic sources told VOA.

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In his opening remarks, before leaders began closed-door discussions, G-20 host Indonesian President Joko Widodo said divisions over Russia’s aggression against Ukraine would derail the agenda for unity and economic recovery. asked the members to

“We have no other choice, we need to work together to save the world,” said Widodo, adding that members have a responsibility not only to citizens but also to the world.

“Responsibility is to end the war,” Widodo said.

“The G20 must be a catalyst for comprehensive economic recovery. We should not divide the world into pieces,” he added. “We must not allow the world to return to the Cold War.”

However, Indonesia has not given up on communiqué. “We have to be optimistic. It’s still in progress,” Indonesia’s Minister of Communications and Information Technology Johnny G. Plate told reporters on Tuesday.

As a possible veiled criticism of Moscow, Chinese President Xi Jinping has warned against “weaponizing” food and energy.

“We must resolutely oppose the politicization, instrumentalization and weaponization of food and energy issues,” said President Xi Jinping.

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Zelensky’s plea

Addressing G-20 leaders online from Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelensky outlined a set of conditions needed to end the war in Ukraine.

Under the first Western boycott threat to exclude Russian President Vladimir Putin, Widodo invited Zelensky, although Ukraine is not a member of the group.

Other non-member countries were invited as observers, including Spain, the Netherlands, Singapore and the United Arab Emirates.

Zelensky said Russia must reaffirm Ukraine’s territorial integrity, withdraw its troops from Ukrainian territory and pay compensation for the damage caused.

Putin did not attend the summit in person. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, who was present at President Zelensky’s speech, later told reporters that Ukraine had refused to participate in the peace talks and was proposing unrealistic peace terms. Told.

French President Emmanuel Macron tweeted that he joined Chinese President Xi Jinping in calling for “respect for Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty”.

VOA’s Iulia Yarmolenko, Paris Huang, Ahadian Utama, and Chris Hannas contributed to this report. Some information in this report was provided by Agence France-Presse and Reuters.