G20 leaders stay tough on Russia, urge end to Ukraine war – National

President Joe Biden and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky have pushed the leaders of the world’s biggest economies to keep pressure on Moscow over the nine-month war that ravaged Ukraine. appeared poised Tuesday to deliver a strong message from most of the people who condemned Russia’s aggression in Ukraine. shook the world economy.

A draft declaration by leaders of the G20 major economies under discussion on Tuesday reflects the UN’s condemnation of Russia’s war against Ukraine, while acknowledging diverging views among member states. The careful wording of the statement reflects the tensions pervading the rally, which includes the leaders of Russia and China, as well as the rise of Russian President Vladimir Putin as some countries try to avoid getting embroiled in a rivalry between the great powers. It reflects the challenge facing the United States and its allies of isolating governments. Power.

The statement, seen by the Associated Press on Tuesday, “deplores the aggression by the Russian Federation in the strongest terms” and “demands a complete and unconditional withdrawal from Ukrainian territory.” The draft G-20 statement also said the G-20 is not a forum for resolving security issues, noting that there are differing views on the situation and sanctions against Russia.

At the summit, Zelensky joined Biden in trying to persuade the G20 to further isolate Russia diplomatically and economically.

Inflation and a slowing economy weigh heavily on countries that penalized Russia for starting the war. High energy and food costs are destabilizing business activity around the world as much of Europe prepares to survive the winter without Russian natural gas imports.

At the opening of the summit, the organizer, Indonesian President Joko Widodo, impressed by gathering together what is at stake. “It will be difficult for the world to move forward if the war is not over,” he said.

In a video address to Kyiv leaders, President Zelensky reiterated 10 conditions to end the conflict that began in February. These included the complete withdrawal of Russian troops and the full restoration of Ukrainian control over its territories. He said it was his country’s latest step in a counterattack in which Moscow withdrew troops from previously occupied territories days after Ukraine recaptured the strategic city of Kherson from Russian forces.

“Ukraine should not be offered to compromise with its conscience, sovereignty, territory and independence,” he said. If Russia says they want this war to end, let them prove it with their actions.”

The President of the European Council, Charles Michel, has also urged other world powers to step up pressure on Russia. However, it was unclear how many countries would accept this relatively harsh language in their final statement.

At the summit, Biden met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Erdogan played a key role this summer in brokering a deal to open up Ukraine’s grain exports to alleviate global food shortages. Biden also had a brief meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and needed cooperation to secure the Russian oil price cap that the US is seeking to limit the profits Russia uses to invest in defense bases. is.

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Separately, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres held a lengthy meeting on Tuesday with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to discuss the Black Sea Grains Initiative, UN spokesperson Florencia Soto Nino said. The agreement, which has allowed Ukraine, a major grain exporter, to resume exports from ports blocked due to the war, is set to be renewed on November 19.

The United States and its allies have responded to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine with export controls and other sanctions that make it difficult for the Russian military to access vital technology and resupply drones, artillery and other weapons. I’m here.

Beijing has avoided direct assistance to Russia, such as by supplying weapons, but has largely refrained from publicly criticizing Russia’s war. Biden said that during Monday’s meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, they discussed war and “reaffirmed our shared belief” that the use or even the threat of nuclear weapons is “totally unacceptable.” Stated. Because the invasion of Ukraine failed.

Xi told G20 leaders that the global economy should not be weaponized.

“Attempts to politicize food and energy issues and use them as tools and weapons must be firmly opposed,” he said in translated remarks.

French President Emmanuel Macron said he called for “respect for Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty” after meeting with Xi.

In a tweet, Macron said France and China were determined to “end the escalation of war in Ukraine and deal with its consequences”.

A U.S. official said Mr Biden’s visit showed a willingness to condemn Russian aggression in countries large and small. Russian President Vladimir Putin did not attend and sent Lavrov as a representative.

The summit schedule does not include the customary “family photo” of the leader, thus avoiding awkward moments of interaction with Lavrov.

US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said no one on the US delegation was scheduled to meet with Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Mr. Biden said Saudi Arabia would side with Russia by leading the OPEC+ cartels last month to cut oil production to keep the price of energy up that Russia uses to fund the war in Ukraine. Standing and accused.

The summit will be the first for two key new partners in Biden’s effort: British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

Sunak, who took office last month after Liz Truss’ disastrously short tenure, promised to continue her conservative predecessors’ unwavering support for Ukraine. He and Biden were scheduled to meet Wednesday to strategize on new ways to strengthen Ukraine’s defenses over the long term.

Meloni has pledged to continue providing arms and aid to Ukraine, but questions remain about her far-right coalition’s commitment to stand up to Russia. She and Biden met on the sidelines of the summit on Tuesday to discuss China, the climate crisis, the impact of Russia’s aggression on global energy markets and their commitment to providing aid to Ukraine, according to a White House statement. .

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen has said he will return home after testing positive for COVID-19 after arriving in Bali. So far, no other leaders are known to have tested positive, but many of them in Bali also attended meetings with Hun Sen at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit a few days ago. did.

At a side event hosted by the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment, a group of seven country-backed global development efforts aimed at providing an alternative to China’s Belt and Road Initiative, Biden, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and Widodo made the announcement. A US$20 billion pledge to help Indonesia reduce its dependence on fossil fuels and meet its commitment to global emission reductions.