Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov leaves the G20 meeting of leading and emerging economic powers in Bali ahead of schedule. “Lavrov is still conducting bilateral talks, then he turns to the press and leaves,” Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told the German Press Agency on Friday. He therefore does not take part in the official meal and in the afternoon session.
Lavrov left the meeting room immediately after his speech, according to sources in the delegation. He also eluded the reply of the German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (Greens), it was said. Baerbock, as acting chair of the G7 group of leading democratic economic powers, was scheduled to be the next speaker after Lavrov. The Russian sat in the hall between representatives from Saudi Arabia and Mexico.
calls from journalists
During the greeting, two German journalists called Lavrov questions. ZDF correspondent Andreas Kynast asked Lavrov: “When do you stop the war?” (German: “When will you end the war?”). Kynast said he was then taken out of the reception hall by Indonesian security officials. There were initially no further restrictions for him. A second German journalist shouted at Lavrov: “Why don’t you stop the war?” (German: “Why don’t you end the war?”).
At the start of the meeting, hostess Retno Marsudi urgently called for an end to the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine. “It is our responsibility to end the war as quickly as possible. And to build bridges and not walls,” said the Indonesian foreign minister. The world’s largest island state currently chairs the G20 confederation of states.
Test for Putin’s participation in the G20 summit
Indonesia, which currently holds the G20 presidency, offered to mediate between the conflicting parties after President Joko Widodo made a trip to Moscow and Kyiv at the end of June. All eyes are now on whether there will be dialogue or further escalation at the Bali meeting. Lavrov’s presence is also seen as a test for Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin’s possible participation in the G20 summit planned for mid-November, which is also taking place in Bali. Several states have questioned their attendance should he appear in person.
The group of states must use this opportunity to build trust and “give peace a chance,” Marsudi explained in her opening speech. She urgently called for multilateralism, i.e. for cooperation between states in solving current political and social problems. “Global challenges require global solutions,” she said.
In addition to a discussion on strengthening multilateral international conflict resolution, the meetings will also deal with global food and energy security. However, the war is expected to dominate much of the deliberations.
Shortly after her arrival in Bali on Thursday evening, Baerbock said that in her speech in Lavrov’s presence, she would “find very clear words that we do not accept this breach of international law”. The usual family photo and an official final statement should probably not be given because of Lavrov’s presence in the evening. However, the Indonesian G20 Presidency intends to issue a statement at the end of the deliberations.
Source: Nachrichten
