G20 ends amid criticism of declaration on Ukraine war

Kyiv says watered-down wording is 'nothing to be proud of' as Lavrov declares statement a diplomatic victory for Russia

- SHWETA SHARMA

The G20 summit in India ended yesterday without the usual “family photo”, as some members questioned the watered-down language used in the joint declaration issued by leaders in relation to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Most of the leaders departed from Delhi earlier in the day, having paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at his memorial on the banks of the Yamuna River. The absence of the customary group photograph – intended to signify unity between the world’s largest economies – exemplified the fact that deep divisions still remain over the Ukraine war.

The leaders’ declaration, which was formally adopted yesterday, bemoans the “human suffering” caused by the Ukraine conflict but contains no direct mention or condemnation of Russia having started the war, and speaks only in general terms about the need to respect the “territorial integrity” of other nations. Kyiv said the declaration was “nothing to be proud of”.

Earlier drafts of the declaration are reported to have featured stronger language in relation to Russia, but a senior European Union official who was part of the negotiations said that it would have spelt the end of the G20 as an organisation if the leaders had not agreed to the watered-down version.

“Ukraine was the most contentious issue. Extremely different positions were on the table to find the consensus, but it was India’s presidency and we believe in consensus, so we had to accept that,” the official said. “If the EU had written it, it would have been quite different and quite strong.”