G20 summit statement on Ukraine avoids criticism of Russia's nuclear threats
Illustrative photo: G20 summit in Brazil (Getty Images)
G20 countries softened their criticism of Russia’s war against Ukraine in the summit statement in Rio de Janeiro, mentioning only "human suffering", according to Financial Times.
The agency noted that this reflects a weakening of global economic powers' support for Ukraine. In particular, the joint declaration softened the previously agreed criticism of Russia's war against Ukraine, with only a general reference to the human suffering caused by Moscow's 1,000-day invasion.
The statement dedicated just one paragraph to Ukraine, compared to seven in last year’s New Delhi summit declaration. This year’s communiqué also omitted condemnation of Russia’s nuclear threats related to Ukraine and did not call for an end to attacks on food and energy infrastructure.
“It is not the language on Ukraine that we would have liked to see,” one diplomat told the agency.
The FT added that some European delegations pushed for tougher language condemning Russia’s missile strikes on civilian targets in Ukraine. However, they ultimately abandoned this to avoid jeopardizing the entire joint statement.
“The language is not strong enough . . . there’s nothing on the latest attacks. But nobody wanted to push too far, otherwise, it would have been a fight and there would be no statement,” said one European diplomat in Rio.
G20 summit in Brazil
The G20 summit recently took place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Ahead of the summit, Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha emphasized the principle of "nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine."
He stated that Ukraine stands firmly for achieving a just peace and will reject any initiatives developed without its involvement.
Read more about the summit in the material by RBC-Ukraine.
