KYIV: Ukraine has expressed disappointment and criticism regarding the G20 leaders’ statement concerning the Russian invasion, particularly highlighting its omission of direct criticism against Russia by name. The statement denounced the use of force for territorial gain but refrained from naming Russia as the aggressor.
Oleg Nikolenko, a spokesman for the Ukrainian foreign affairs ministry, voiced Ukraine’s concerns, stating, “Ukraine is grateful to the partners who tried to include strong wording in the text. At the same time, in terms of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, the Group of 20 has nothing to be proud of.”
Ukraine Disappointed Over G20 Statement
Nikolenko took to social media to share an edited portion of the statement, which he had marked in red to emphasize changes. In the edit, “the war in Ukraine” was altered to “the war against Ukraine,” and references to Russia were added.
The G20 statement issued earlier had called on “all states” to “refrain from the threat or use of force to seek territorial acquisition against the territorial integrity and sovereignty or political independence of any state.”
In contrast, a previous G20 statement, issued in Bali last year, had explicitly cited a UN resolution that condemned “in the strongest terms the aggression by the Russian Federation against Ukraine.”
Nikolenko emphasized the importance of Ukraine’s participation in the meeting, stating that it would allow the participants to gain a better understanding of the situation.
