Politics

Majority of G20 countries condemn Ukraine war in draft declaration

Nusa Dua, Bali, Nov 15 (EFE).- A majority of the Group of Twenty (G20) member countries firmly condemn the war in Ukraine and highlight its devastating consequences for humanity and the global economy, according to a draft of the joint declaration that is expected to be approved at the leaders’ summit being held in Bali.

The text, seen by EFE ahead of its formal adoption by the G20 leaders, includes a mention of the war in Ukraine, contrary to what was expected due to Moscow’s firm opposition to such a reference of the conflict it initiated against the neighboring country.

The document highlights the immense human suffering and the problems that the war is causing on a global scale in terms of energy supply, food security and risks for financial instability, although it also echoes the varying positions among the 20 countries.

The joint statement admits that there were other views on the situation in Ukraine during the discussions in Bali and acknowledges that the G20 is not the most appropriate forum to resolve such security matters.

The statement, which must still be agreed upon by the G20 leaders between the sessions on Tuesday and Wednesday, is in line with what was advanced by representatives of the European Union and the United States, who call for a clear and firm condemnation of Moscow in this platform.

European Council President Charles Michel said Tuesday that the final text on which the G20 delegations are still working is going “in the right direction” to condemn the Russian invasion of Ukraine despite the members’ differing positions.

“The fact that we arrive at an agreement…on a statement is an achievement in its own right,” Michel said at a press conference shortly before the start of the G20 summit, which he described as “one of the most difficult one(s) that there has ever been.”

No ministerial meeting of the G20 since Russia invaded Ukraine in February has achieved a consensus document due to the differences between the members when it comes to including references to the conflict and in what terms to do so.

Russia officially refers to its invasion of Ukraine as a “special military operation,” making its mention as a “war” in multilateral statements difficult.

For this reason, some G20 members put on the table more ambiguous terms such as “armed conflict”, which the majority of countries rejected outright, according to Western diplomatic sources. EFE

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