Russia’s foreign minister walked out of a G20 meeting on Friday as the west denounced the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The Russian diplomat, Sergei Lavrov’s arrival at Friday’s meeting was met by shouts of “When will you stop the war” and “Why don’t you stop the war” as he was greeted by Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi.
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and its impact on food security and energy dominated the closed-door gathering on the Indonesian island of Bali, which ended with no joint statement, and no announcements of any agreements being reached.
Ukraine and its Western backers say Russia is engaged in an imperial-style land grab with no justification for its invasion.
The meeting was the first forum at which Russia was faced with the fiercest critics of the war in person. Lavrov emerged from the first session with a rigid rebuke of Western counterparts who he said “strayed almost immediately” from the topics of discussion “to the frenzied criticism of the Russian Federation”.
In the subsequent session, the Russian foreign minster read a statement then promptly walked out, without hearing others, according to the European Union’s foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, who described the action as “not very respectful.”
Lavrov had also attended a welcome reception on Thursday where no G7 minister were present in protest of invitation extended ot the Russian Federation. Russia calls the war a “special military operation” to degrade the Ukrainian military and root out people it calls dangerous nationalists.
Lavrov and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke directly with each other while in the meeting room, said Indonesia’s Retno, who chaired the forum. She did not say what they discussed.
Blinken reportedly told delegates that for the G20 to stay relevant, it must hold Russia accountable, according to a senior State Department official. Lavrov told reporters later that Russia was ready to negotiate with Ukraine and Turkey about grain, but it is unclear when such talks might take place.
Meetings were overshadowed by the assassination of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, which Blinken described as “profoundly disturbing”, expressing shock over the death of “a leader with great vision”.
Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba addressed the meeting virtually, accusing Russia of playing “hunger games” through its blockade of Ukraine’s Black Sea port. “We have no right to allow Russia to further blackmail the world through high energy prices, hunger, and security threats,” he said.
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