The G20 foreign ministers’ meetings began yesterday in Indonesia with a call for Russia to end the war in Ukraine, while Germany said Russia was not interested in dialogue and ending the conflict.
For its part, the United States demanded that Russia “permit the export of grain from Ukraine. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said he would not “lag behind” the US in talks after his counterpart Anthony Blinken refused to meet him at the G20 meeting in Indonesia.
“It is not the United States that has refused contacts, it is not the United States,” Lavrov told reporters at a meeting in Bali. “We are not chasing anyone to offer meetings,” he added.
The United States sought to isolate Russia on the international stage, and Blinken’s circle made it clear that there was no point in negotiating with the Russian minister while Moscow continued its offensive in Ukraine. Lavrov welcomed the neutral position of Indonesia, but condemned the approach of the Western members of the G20. “Our Western partners try not to talk about global economic problems,” he said.
“As soon as they speak, they immediately begin unbridled criticism of Russia about the situation in Ukraine and call us aggressors,” he added. He stressed that “everyone urged us to stop this process and come to a peaceful settlement, but despite this position of our Western colleagues, the discussions were useful.”
German Foreign Minister Annalina Beerbock criticized Moscow, saying it opposes dialogue with international partners after diplomats said her Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov left the room during a speech at the G20 meeting. Ukraine warned the spokesman in charge of European international relations of Josep Borrell.
The US Secretary of State will try to reopen dialogue with Beijing through talks with his counterpart Wang Yi scheduled for Saturday after months of tension over several documents, including Taiwan.
Indonesian call for an end to the war
Indonesia, this year’s G20 host country, called for an end to the war in Ukraine at the opening of a meeting of the group’s foreign ministers in Bali, which is expected to be the site of intense discussions.
“Our responsibility is to end the war as quickly as possible and resolve our differences at the negotiating table, not on the battlefield,” said Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi.
She added that the effects of the war “are visible all over the world in terms of food, energy and budget.
As usual, it is the poor and developing countries that suffer the most.” The United States, with the support of some of its Western allies, called for Russia to be excluded from international forums.
But Indonesia, which wants to remain neutral as the G20 host country, confirmed its invitation to Russia’s foreign minister. He also invited his Ukrainian colleague Dmitry Kuleba, who will take part online.
The last meeting between Blinken and Lavrov dates back to February in Geneva, where the US Secretary of State warned Russia of the huge consequences if it invaded Ukraine, which it did on February 24.
This meeting paves the way for November’s summit of presidents and leaders. The United States will use the opportunity to convene it to launch a campaign to isolate Russia as much as possible on the international stage, especially among developing countries, especially India.
