G20 opens in Indonesia on Ukraine invasion, others as leaders divided amid tension over Ukraine; ‘beginning of the end’ of war with Russia’_ Zelenskyy
Leaders of the Group of 20 major economies opened a two-day summit in Bali, Indonesia on Tuesday to take up some challenges with global scope: the surge in prices of food and energy, and the Ukraine invasion among others. But they were divided even before they began by the invasion of Ukraine. The meeting is the group’s first since Russia invaded Ukraine.
Many leaders pressured their hosts to withdraw an invitation to Russian President Vladimir Putin. The Indonesians resisted but, in the end, Putin decided not to attend.
Indonesian President Joko Widodo welcomed world leaders including Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio, US President Joe Biden, and Chinese President Xi Jinping. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov attended the meeting in place of President Vladimir Putin.
At the top of the summit’s agenda is a response to soaring energy and food prices.
The ministerial talks were divided, with Western leaders saying Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has driven up prices and Russia blaming foreign economic sanctions.
Leaders from the European Union, Japan, and South Korea are among those who have restricted trade and frozen the assets of Putin’s allies. Those from Indonesia, China, India, Brazil, and Turkey have decided not to introduce any economic penalties.
European Council President Charles Michel said, “We should try to use the G20 meeting to try to convince all the partners to put more pressure on Russia.”
A senior US official said most G20 members will likely condemn Russia in the strongest terms.
Lavrov is expected to strongly protest these approaches, and concern is mounting ahead of summit talks.
An Indonesian government official has said that there will be no group photo session for leaders attending the G20 summit in Bali.
It’s a rare decision, as a group photo session is customary at face-to-face international talks. In the past, G20 leaders posed for group photos at the opening of each summit.
The decision not to hold the photo session this time is viewed as reflecting deepening divisions between Western nations and Russia over Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.
In July, Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi canceled a photo session at the G20 foreign ministers meeting in consideration of opposition to Russia’s participation among Western diplomats.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited the liberated city of Kherson on Monday and promised the victory there would serve as the “beginning of the end” of the war against Russia.
Residents saw Russian troops withdraw last week then Ukrainian soldiers move in. Zelenskyy addressed a crowd in front of a government building where the Russian flag has been replaced by the Ukrainian colors.
“This is the beginning of the end of the war because you see our strong army. We are step-by-step coming through our country,” Zelenskyy said. He has promised to recapture all occupied territory, including the eastern region of Donetsk.
Residents of Kherson do not have any water or power. Many fear they could step on mines that are scattered throughout the city.
Both sides have been fighting in muddy conditions. Analysts from the Institute for the Study of War in Washington said armored units will find it easier when “winter freezes the ground.” They said combat is “likely to intensify.”