By Andrea Thomas
BERLIN (Dow Jones) — Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) expressed confidence that the group of 20 leading economies and democracies (G20) will by majority condemn the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine in a final declaration. It is also significant that the countries will speak out against the use of nuclear weapons at their two-day summit on the Indonesian island of Bali. According to Scholz, the G20 was not expected to be so largely united at the beginning of the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine at the end of February. Overall, it is becoming apparent that the meeting was a “quite successful summit” despite the depressing general conditions. This is “great progress”, as Scholz explained.
“It is right and proper that the signs here are… that this war of aggression cannot be accepted, that the effects of this war on the rest of the world in terms of hunger, in terms of energy prices, are carefully considered and everything against these negative effects must be undertaken,” said Scholz on the sidelines of the summit. This consensus is gradually gaining ground. It is also right and proper that the G20 countries “simultaneously make it clear that the use of nuclear weapons is out of the question.”
This shows that the leading economic nations could agree on a joint final declaration. According to the AFP news agency, the draft joint statement finalized before the start of the meeting states that “most members” of the G20 “strongly condemn” the war in Ukraine. Scholz emphasized that it was not counted which countries have different views on the war of aggression.
Brief exchange with Lavrov
Scholz also confirmed that there had been a brief exchange on the sidelines of the meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Russia’s President Wladimir Putin represented at the summit. Scholz also stressed that he would continue to speak to Putin and push for an end to the Russian war of aggression. Neither Ukraine nor other states will accept a Russian dictated peace.
According to Scholz, other topics will also play an important role at the summit. In addition to the tense economic situation, this also includes the food situation, high energy prices and global health issues. Climate change will also play a role. The goal must be to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and achieve climate neutrality, said Scholz.
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(END) Dow Jones Newswires
November 15, 2022 05:39 ET (10:39 GMT)