Russia Expresses Appreciation For The G20 Declaration On Ukraine

The G20 Summit in New Delhi concluded on Sunday (10 September) with Russia expressing appreciation for the adopted declaration, which refrained from directly condemning Moscow for its actions in Ukraine.

The statement emphasised the importance of avoiding the use of force to seize territory, aligning with Russia's assertion of a "special military operation" in Ukraine.

Svetlana Lukash, the Russian G20 negotiator, acknowledged the challenging negotiations, highlighting the collective stance of the BRICS nations, which include Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.

The lead-up to the summit saw significant discord among G20 members, particularly concerning Ukraine. Western nations pushed for a strong condemnation of Russia's invasion, while Russia insisted on a resolution reflecting its perspective.

Lukash, as reported by Asia Nikkei, noted that this summit marked as one of the most difficult in the forum's nearly two-decade history, taking nearly 20 days to agree on the declaration beforehand and an additional five days on-site.

Disagreements extended beyond Ukraine, encompassing crucial issues such as climate change and the shift towards low-carbon energy systems.

Leaders including US President Joe Biden and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak participated in the summit hosted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Prime Minister Modi aimed to strike a balance between the interests of the global south and those of the West.

Ukraine's Foreign Ministry expressed disappointment with the Delhi declaration, asserting that Ukrainian representation would have provided a more nuanced understanding of the situation.

Ukraine had requested participation in the gathering of the world's largest economies.

Russia's 2022 intervention in Ukraine has resulted in a significant loss of life, displaced millions, and triggered economic upheaval worldwide. Moscow continues to deny allegations of atrocities committed during the conflict.