The crisis in Ukraine dominates the atmosphere of the G-20 meeting, and the European Union calls on India to persuade Russia to stop its military operation in Ukraine.
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Ukraine leads the discussions ahead of the meeting of the G20 foreign ministers.. and India strengthens its international standing
The crisis in Ukraine, which has been going on for nearly a year, occupied the focus of discussions in New Delhi, yesterday evening, Wednesday, on the eve of the G20 foreign ministers’ meeting, while the European Union’s foreign policy official, Josep Borrell, said, “The success of the summit depends on the extent of its contribution to ending the conflict in Ukraine.” “.
Russia said it “will take advantage of the meeting to inform the international community of the party responsible for the political and economic crises from which the countries of the world suffer.”
In turn, the United States of America stressed the importance of the group continuing its sanctions against Russia.
The meeting of foreign ministers comes days after a meeting of G20 finance ministers in Bengaluru, where the conflict in Ukraine dominated the discussions.
The delegates of the participating countries got into an argument about Russia and the war in Ukraine, and then failed to reach a consensus on issuing a joint statement and eventually had to draft a short document.
The G20 includes the G7 countries, in addition to Russia, China, India, Brazil, Australia, Saudi Arabia, and other countries.
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India.. and persuading Russia
For his part, the European Union’s foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, hoped that “India will use its diplomatic capabilities to persuade Russia to end its military operation in Ukraine,” commenting: “I am sure of its ability to do so.”
A source in the European Union indicated that the bloc’s delegation would not support any statement issued by the G20 meeting unless it included clauses against Russia.
The statements came hours after Russia announced that it considers the G20 a prestigious forum “where balanced, consensual decisions must be taken for the benefit of all humanity.”
Earlier, India had refused to condemn the Russian military operation in Ukraine, and had reservations about including the condemnation in the final statement of the meeting of finance ministers and central bank governors of the “Group of Twenty” countries, which was held last February in New Delhi.
For his part, Indian Foreign Minister Vinay Quatra said that the discussion on the Russian military operation during the meeting of foreign ministers will be an important part, but India, the host country, is confident that the economic challenges resulting from the war will receive similar attention.
“Given the nature and evolution of the situation in the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, it will be an important point in the discussions,” Quatra told reporters as the foreign ministers arrived in New Delhi for the meeting.
“Issues related to food, energy and fertilizer security, and the impact of the conflict on these economic challenges that we face, among others, will also receive due attention,” he stated.
A few days ago, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his country’s belief in “the need to find a solution to the Ukraine crisis” through negotiations and dialogue, stressing New Delhi’s readiness to contribute to the “peaceful settlement” of the conflict.
The G20 meeting will be attended by 40 representatives, including Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and his American counterparts Anthony Blinken and Chinese Chen Gang.
The escalating tension between the US and China is likely to be addressed at the foreign ministers’ meeting, while the Indian foreign minister said he also expects a clear message on terrorism, adding that “the role of cryptocurrencies will be part of the discussions.”