Zelenskyy addressed the G19 leaders virtually who have gathered for the G20 Summit in Bali urging for help to end the war
The President of Ukraine – Volodymyr Zelenskyy called on the G19 world leaders, excluding Russia, to help end the Russian invasion.
Zelenskyy addressed the leaders virtually who have gathered for the G20 Summit in Bali, Indonesia. The President of Russia – Vladimir Putin didn’t attend the Summit and sent the Foreign Minister – Sergei Lavrov.
Speaking on the occasion, Zelenskyy said, “I am convinced now is the time when the Russian destructive war must and can be stopped.”
He also called for extension of the foodgrain export deal which was brokered by United Nations (U.N.). He outlined a number of strategies, including ensuring nuclear and food safety, the ending of hostilities and a prevention of escalation. Since the deal began, 10 million tonnes of grain and other food have been exported. He said the deal should be extended indefinitely.
The deal is set to end on November 19, 2022. Russia has not yet confirmed an extension. In return for allowing Ukraine to ship out food, it has insisted that Western sanctions be lifted so Russia can export its own food and fertilisers to world markets without hindrance.
Zelenskyy also accused Russia of trying to turn the cold into a weapon against millions of people by bombing key Ukrainian energy infrastructure as winter approaches. He repeatedly addressed the leaders as the “G19”, excluding Russia. He asked for additional military assistance from Ukraine’s allies, and price restrictions on Russian energy exports such that Russia cannot profit from them.
He further said, “If Russia is trying to deprive Ukraine, Europe and all energy consumers in the world of predictability and price stability, the answer to this should be a forced limitation of export prices for Russia.”
Later in the day, Lavrov addressed a Press Conference to Russian media, where he blamed Ukraine for hampering settlement with Russia. He accused Ukraine of categorically refusing negotiations and putting forward conditions that are obviously unrealistic.
When asked about whether he had secured support from any countries at the G20 summit, he said “no one except the West and its closest satellites has joined anti-Russian sanctions.”
The Ukraine war cast a long shadow over the first day of the G20 leaders’ summit, featuring as a theme in several meetings.
Separately, the President of France – Emmanuel Macron met the President of China – Xi Jinping and stressed that the war must be overcome by close coordination between France and China. The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom (U.K.) – Rishi Sunak met Lavrov for the first time after resuming office as the Prime Minister of U.K. and expressed displeasure at Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
