Most G20 countries condemn war in Ukraine, slam threat of nuclear weapons use

Nusa Dua, Indonesia, Nov 16 (EFE).- Most of the Group of Twenty (G20) countries on Wednesday strongly condemned the war in Ukraine and slammed “the use or threat of use of nuclear weapons” in a joint declaration adopted at their leaders’ summit on the Indonesian island of Bali.

The declaration admitted that there were “other views” on the situation in Ukraine during the discussions in Bali and recognized that the G20 is not the forum to resolve security issues but affirmed that “today’s era must not be of war.”

“It is essential to uphold international law and the multilateral system that safeguards peace and stability,” said the declaration signed by the member countries, which include Russia.

This includes “the protection of civilians and infrastructure in armed conflicts,” it added.

“The use or threat of use of nuclear weapons is inadmissible. The peaceful resolution of conflicts, efforts to address crises, as well as diplomacy and dialogue, are vital,” said the text, which the world’s 20 largest economies managed to agree upon after arduous negotiations mainly due to Moscow’s reservations.

The document also highlights the “immense human suffering” and the problems that the war is causing on a global scale in terms of constraining growth, increasing inflation, disrupting supply chains, heightening energy and food insecurity, and elevating financial stability risks.

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.

The G20 declaration reiterates the positions adopted by the countries in the United Nations General Assembly resolution adopted in March against the invasion, and echoes that text, which “deplores in the strongest terms the aggression by the Russian Federation against Ukraine and demands its complete and unconditional withdrawal from the territory of Ukraine.”

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

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