Moscow assumes that Western countries are putting pressure on India to get the G20 to condemn Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. An EU diplomat accused the Kremlin of blocking a compromise at the summit. The meeting of economic forces is in danger of failing.

A G20 summit that brings together India’s leading economic powers is in danger of failing over disagreements over the clear condemnation of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. It is difficult to predict whether it will be possible to reach an agreement, EU Council President Charles Michel said before the start of the meeting in the capital New Delhi on Saturday. One reason is that, unlike last year in Bali, it appears to be more difficult for some states to agree on strict penalties.

According to statements by EU diplomats, Russia has so far prevented reaching an agreement in the G20 Summit declaration. India did an “excellent job” hosting the G20 meeting in which developed and developing nations attended, committed and sought compromises. “But so far Russia has stood in the way of compromises that should be acceptable to everyone,” the EU diplomat told Reuters news agency.

Ahead of the summit, Russia had announced that it would only agree to the joint summit declaration under certain conditions. The main issue is part of the final declaration regarding Russia’s attack on Ukraine. Delegates reported a heated struggle between negotiators over the wording of the final declaration. According to information, the West is faced with an alliance of China and Russia. Beijing is considered Moscow’s most important international partner and has not condemned its war of aggression against Ukraine.

Criticism of Modi’s meeting with Biden

Hosts India are hoping for a joint final declaration. “We continue to work towards a consensus,” said Indian negotiator Amitabh Kant. India’s focus is on the concerns of southern countries. Apart from the EU, the G20 also includes 19 countries with the strongest economies in the world. This round is a central forum for international economic cooperation, but is now also addressing other topics ranging from the fight against terrorism to climate protection.

Meanwhile, US President Joe Biden met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi ahead of the G20 Summit in New Delhi. Biden arrived at the residence of the head of government, as reported by the accompanying press. There was previously huge criticism of the meeting with Modi from the US press as media access was severely restricted.

The White House tried to calm journalists. “This is not your typical bilateral visit to India where the meeting takes place in the prime minister’s office and there is a proper program in place,” Biden adviser Jake Sullivan said before the meeting. Modi is the host of the G20, which hosts “a large number of heads of state at his home”. Therefore, he set the rules for the process, Sullivan said. Modi was received with great pomp by Biden as a state guest at the White House in June.

Guterres called for unity

A joint press conference was also held at that time, which was highly unusual for Modi – he rarely takes questions from journalists. The Biden administration is aggressively seeking to tie India more closely as an important player in the Indo-Pacific and on the international stage. The goal is to counter China’s desire to control the region.

UN Secretary General António Guterres called on India’s capital to fight the crisis in the world. “We must unite and act as one for the common good.” There is a risk of escalating confrontation. The G20 can help accompany the transition to a multipolar order. He called the fight against the climate crisis one of the most important tasks.

EU Council President Michel said: “Russia continues to attack Ukraine, killing people and destroying their cities.” Therefore, the EU will continue to support Ukraine and put pressure on Russia. Russia’s war also had an impact on other regions of the world. More than 250 million people face food insecurity. By attacking Ukrainian ports for grain exports, the Kremlin has deprived them of much-needed food.

Moscow complains of “unilateral approach”

US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, when asked if she expected agreement on a statement including a section on the Ukraine war, said: “We stand ready to work with India to put together a communiqué that addresses these concerns.” But this is “a challenge”.

Russia accused the leading democratic economic powers (G7) of exerting pressure on India. Western countries are trying to apply a “unilateral approach to the situation around Ukraine” to the final G20 document, said the Foreign Ministry in Moscow. Geopolitical issues, the “crisis in Ukraine” and other armed conflicts must be addressed at the United Nations (UN) level.

The UN will meet next week for its General Assembly in New York. Apart from Germany, the G7 group also includes France, Italy, Japan, Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom. The G7 condemns Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and would like to see this position reflected in the G20 statement.

US: More money for development banks

At the G20 summit in Bali in 2022, Moscow agreed, apparently under Chinese pressure, to include a sentence in the final declaration: “The vast majority of members strongly condemn the war in Ukraine.” Russia’s position was described in the words: “There are different views and different assessments of the situation and sanctions.”

The Russian Foreign Ministry now emphasizes: “We believe that the decisions of the G20 should be based solely on consensus, without any of its members opting out.” The priority is a declaration that supports global economic recovery, sustainable development, and also the interests of all countries. Russia will be represented in New Delhi by Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. Russian President Vladimir Putin started war against Ukraine on February 24, 2022. As in 2022, he will stay away from the summit. An international arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court in The Hague is in force against him. Chinese Head of State Xi Jinping will also not come to India and will be represented by Prime Minister Li Qiang.

At the meeting, US Treasury Secretary Yellen relied on a commitment to provide greater support to poor countries. “We hope other countries will join us depending on their financial capabilities.” It also has to do with money for the World Bank, which lends money to poor countries on favorable terms. “This week is also an opportunity to discuss debt relief,” Yellen said, noting the debt crisis in poorer countries. China has long been under international pressure to agree to debt relief for poor countries – after they took loans from Beijing.

Safety precautions severely curtailed life in New Delhi the day before the summit started – parts of the center resembled a ghost town. Authorities have also made efforts to evict New Delhi’s large number of monkeys and street dogs from the city center.