President Joe Biden on Tuesday sought to further isolate Russia over its war in Ukraine, as the country’s President Volodomyr Zelensky said taking back Kherson was like the Allies landing in France on D-Day.
“It was not the end of the fight against evil, but it determined the entire course of events. This is exactly what we feel right now,” he said via video link at the G20 leaders’ meeting in Bali on Tuesday.
According to AFP, despite threats of a strike, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stayed in his seat to listen to the pre-summit speech – and European leaders stayed for his comments.
A global energy crisis, inflation and climate change were on the agenda as leaders of the world’s 20 largest economies met on the Indonesian island.
But no issue has cast a darker shadow than Russia’s war in Ukraine.
“I am convinced that now is the time when Russia’s destructive war must and can be stopped,” said Zelenskyy, appearing remotely at a conference skipped by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“It will save thousands of lives.”
Zelenskyi delivered his speech following a dramatic return to Kherson following a Russian military withdrawal from the regional capital, which it occupied after February’s invasion.
Zelensky found good company among the executives gathered at the luxury Kempinski hotel, which boasts spectacular sea views.
China’s Xi Jinping has condemned the “weaponization” of food and energy in what observers see as a rare criticism of Vladimir Putin’s warring in Ukraine.
“We must resolutely oppose the politicization, instrumentalization and weaponization of food and energy problems,” he said.
Speaking via video link at the G20 summit in Bali on Tuesday, Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelenskyy called on leaders to expel Russia from his country after months of war
President Joe Biden is trying to get world leaders to unite to oppose Russia’s war on Ukraine. Here he is talking to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi
China’s Xi Jinping surprised observers with an apparently veiled criticism of Russia
Indonesian President Joko Widodo urged leaders to “stop the war.”
“If the war does not stop, it will be difficult for the world to move forward,” Widodo said. “We must not divide the world into parts.
“We must not allow the world to plunge back into a cold war.”
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak called Russia a “pariah state” and told reporters that he intended to “clearly” condemn Moscow for its invasion.
Asked how he would deal with Lavrov, Sunak told reporters: “I will use this opportunity to unequivocally condemn the Russian state and Putin for their heinous and illegal war.”
Biden and his allies are trying to hold on painfully high food and fuel prices on Vladimir Putin to seek consensus between countries such as India and China that have so far been reluctant to speak out against China.
Ahead of a joint G20 statement condemning the eight-month-old invasion and threats to use nuclear weapons, US and European officials portrayed the summit as evidence of Russia’s growing isolation.
But before meetings could even begin, the Cambodian prime minister, who was hosting Joe Biden and other leaders over the weekend, announced that he had tested positive for COVID-19.
A statement on Hun Sen’s Facebook page said he was going back home and canceling meetings.
Biden left his hotel 30 minutes late after the summit, and the White House later said he tested negative.
Welcoming his guests to the tropical island of Bali, top host Widodo said: “Being responsible does not mean creating zero-sum situations, being responsible here also means ending the war.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed the conference from afar after a dramatic return to recaptured Kherson
President Joe Biden sat with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen during a dance performance at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Gala Dinner on Saturday night
Hun Sen hosted Biden and other world leaders for the summit in Phnom Penh ahead of the G20 summit
Left to right; Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and Indonesian President Joko Widodo pose for a group photo at the ASEAN Plus Three Summit
Earlier, a US official said the G20 would condemn the war in Russia.
“I won’t pre-empt the final negotiations, but the G20 will make clear that Russia’s war is having a devastating impact on people everywhere and on the world economy as a whole,” the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss the US view of the summit. .
“It will be clear that most members of the G20 condemn the war in Russia and the immense suffering this causes, both for Ukrainians and for families in the developing world who face food and fuel shortages as a result.”
However, he could not say what the sentencing would be, whether it would be a communique signed by 11 or 19 countries, or whether it would be a statement by the president of Indonesia, who chairs the group. .
With the departure of Cambodian Prime Minister, Hun Sen, the summit is already one step too short.
Officials hope none of his guests at the weekend summit of Southeast Asian leaders and others will be affected.
Guests included Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang.
A day earlier, Biden cleared his throat and apologized to reporters at a news conference.
“Sorry, I have a cold,” he said.
It was all an uncertain start to the summit, which the leaders had already decided on Skip the traditional “family photo” so the likes of Biden don’t have to smile for the camera next to Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
But US officials say the summit will include a condemnation of Russia.
Biden met with China’s Xi Jinping on Monday – their first meeting since Biden took office
The two showed warm body language before they met but clashed over Taiwan
The summit is the latest leg in Biden’s global foreign policy explosion.
He was in Egypt for three hours on Friday to attend the COP27 summit before flying to Cambodia for less than 48 hours to attend the ASEAN summit.
He met Xi for the first time as president on Monday. Both leaders appeared maskless with all wearing face coverings.
They clashed over Taiwan and discussed, among other things, the threat North Korea poses to the region.
Biden is in the final leap of a three-summit global foreign policy blitz
Biden is expected back at the White House on Thursday night before daughter Naomi’s wedding on Saturday.
US officials said Biden’s trip showed that countries large and small were ready to condemn Russian aggression.
Indonesian President Joko Widodo invited Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to virtually speak at the G-20 summit.
It comes days after Ukraine’s foreign minister was invited to attend the summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in Cambodia, where he became the latest signatory to the group’s Friendship and Cooperation Agreement.
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Elizabeth Cabrera is an author and journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a talent for staying up-to-date on the latest news and trends, Elizabeth is dedicated to delivering informative and engaging articles that keep readers informed on the latest developments.
