BAt the beginning of the G-20 summit in Bali, undescancer Olaf Scholz called on Russia to end the war in Ukraine immediately. “The most effective means of recovering the global economy is the end of the Russian war against Ukraine,” Scholz said on Tuesday, according to the text of the speech. He called on Russian President Vladimir Putin not to use hunger as a weapon. “Don’t plunge the world economy into the abyss.” The drop in food prices after grain deliveries from Ukraine resumed shows that the war was responsible for the price turbulence on the world markets, said Scholz.
At the same time, the Chancellor warned Russia again against the use of nuclear weapons. “With his irresponsible nuclear threats, President Putin is deliberately escalating the situation further,” said Scholz.
Clear words from the host
Even in the circle of previously neutral states from the G20 circle, more and more distanced themselves from Putin. Indonesian President and host Joko Widodo said: “If the war doesn’t end, it will be difficult for the world to move forward. If the war doesn’t end, it will be difficult for us to take responsibility for the future.” These were clear words for Indonesia, which had hitherto pursued a middle course in the crisis.
EU Council President Charles Michel also confirmed on Tuesday that the G20 would adopt a final declaration. According to agency reports, there should be talk of a “war”, while Russia describes the invasion as a “special operation”. Agreeing on a joint final declaration presupposes that China, Russia’s most powerful partner, has also given its consent.
Wrestling with the wording of the final declaration
The chief negotiators negotiated the outstanding issues right up to the end. The main issue was how to deal with the war in Ukraine. The diplomatic solution might lie in differentiating between the different positions in the document. The dpa news agency quoted from a draft on Tuesday: “Most members condemned the war in Ukraine in the strongest possible terms.” Scholz appealed to the G-20 partners on Tuesday to stick to the draft of the final declaration, which provides for a condemnation of Russia. “Together we bear the responsibility that the G20 remains credible and able to act”.
At Indonesia’s invitation, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy sent a video message to the G20 on Tuesday. The EU ambassador, Vincent Piket, wrote on Twitter that he had given a “passionate and detailed speech”. The President of Ukraine called for restoring peace and territorial integrity to Ukraine. China may be keen to avoid unilateral condemnation of its ally.
Bloomberg agency reported that Beijing’s negotiators had rejected wording that was seen as “too aggressive” towards Russia. Chinese concerns that this could set an example in dealing with Chinese threats against Taiwan also played a role. However, the Chinese side also showed no will to appear at the summit meeting as a defender of the Russian war of aggression.
Lavrov: Conversation with Scholz and Macron
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov met Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Tuesday. Russia and China have maintained an “all-encompassing partnership and strategic cooperation,” Lavrov said in Nusa Dua on Tuesday, according to the Russian state news agency TASS. Lavrov’s spokeswoman Maria Zakharova released a video showing the minister shaking hands with Wang. Lavrov announced that he had also spoken to Chancellor Scholz and French President Macron about the Ukraine war. Indonesian President Widodo greeted Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov on Tuesday morning with a handshake and an arm grab.
