The United States and the European Union expressed confidence that the meeting of G20 foreign ministers, which ends today in New Delhi, will condemn Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and that the host nation will pressure Moscow to launch a . to end the aggression. On the war front, Kiev gave indications that it was reinforcing positions in Bakhmut and the head of the Russian mercenaries denied that the city of Donbass was about to be taken.
The Indian presidency of the G20 chose “One Earth, One Family, One Future” as its motto, but the idea of harmony clashed with reality. On the way to the Indian capital, in Uzbekistan, the US Secretary of State warned that it was not in his plans to meet the Russian counterpart – nor the Chinese. “I’m not going to see any of them [Sergei Lavrov e Qin Gang] at the G20,” said Antony Blinken, who would sit at the same table during working meetings.
Relations with China have deteriorated in recent weeks with the case of the Chinese balloon shot down by the US Air Force and repeated warnings from Washington that Beijing will not transfer military or technological equipment to Moscow, alongside criticism of the communist regime’s peace initiative . “On the one hand, it tries to present itself publicly as neutral and peace-seeking, while at the same time preaching Russia’s false war narrative,” Blinken said.
The Indians also did not condemn the Russian invasion and have since taken the opportunity to buy oil in Moscow at low prices. Despite the fact that the Indian government wants the G20 agenda to focus on issues such as poverty reduction or financing to tackle climate change, the war in Ukraine is still taking center stage.
On Saturday, the meeting of G20 finance ministers ended without agreement on the final statement due to Russian and Chinese vetoes. A senior US State Department official told journalists that a statement condemning the invasion should be issued this time. The head of European diplomacy was also confident, but the host country had to use its influence. “I hope India will use its diplomatic skills to make Russia understand that this war must come to an end. In the words of the Indian Prime Minister [Narendra] Modi, now is not the time for war,” said Josep Borrell. “The success of the meeting will be measured by what we can do about it,” he concluded.
Hours after the Ukrainian military acknowledged that the situation in Bakhmut was “extremely tense”, in line with what President Zelensky also said, and while the Russian side took the city for granted, Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar announced that reinforcements were sent. to that city of Donetsk. The minister did not provide details on the number of soldiers involved or what their mission is – it could be to provide logistical support or cover for a possible withdrawal.
Yevgeny Prigozhin, the head of the private Wagner mercenary group – which had been demanding ammunition from the Russian army for days – denied Bakhmut’s imminent fall. “Ukrainian troops are taking fresh reserves to Bakhmut and are trying to hold the city by all means,” said the man labeled a “war criminal” by US Attorney General Merrick Garland.
Finns approve of NATO
Unsurprisingly, and after a day of debate, the Finnish parliament approved the country’s future membership in the Atlantic Alliance. Only seven delegates voted against – and 184 in favor – of the legislation accepting the terms of the NATO treaty. The vote took place before ratification by the parliaments of Hungary and Turkey to avoid the risk of further delays in the process as parliamentary elections are held on 2 April. Parliamentary debate on Finland’s and Sweden’s membership of NATO has begun in Budapest, with the ratification vote due to take place next week. However, Viktor Orbán’s government indicated that the vote could be postponed until the end of the month after stating that deputies are concerned about “the great war potential” that the Finland-Russia border represents.
Lukashenko and Xi agree
On a visit to China, Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko told his counterpart Xi Jinping that his country “fully supports” Beijing’s proposals to end the war in Ukraine. China last week published a 12-point document on the war started by Moscow, calling for a “cessation of hostilities” and peace talks while reaffirming its neutrality. The Ukrainian president said he was interested in discussing the Chinese plan with Xi, while other Ukrainian officials recalled that a ceasefire is only possible once the occupier is gone.
Moscow conditions grains
The Russian foreign ministry has said it will only agree to extend the Black Sea grain agreement, which allows the safe export of grain from Ukrainian ports, and which Kiev has already said it would like to extend, if its interests are secured . “The continuation of the agreement is only possible if the interests of Russian agricultural and fertilizer producers in terms of free access to world markets are taken into account,” the ministry said. The agreement was signed in July following negotiations spearheaded by Turkey and the United Nations.
Source: DN
