On G20 declaration, Ukraine says statement ‘nothing to be proud of’

The declaration called for refraining from using force to ‘seek territorial acquisition’ but did not mention Russia in the context of the Ukraine war.

Sep 10, 2023 - 12:30

On G20 declaration, Ukraine says statement ‘nothing to be proud of’

Ukraine on Saturday criticised the statement issued by the G20 leaders on the Russian invasion denouncing the use of force for territorial gain but refraining from direct criticism of Moscow.

“Ukraine is grateful to the partners who tried to include strong wording in the text,” said Oleg Nikolenko, a spokesperson for the Ukrainian Foreign Affairs Ministry. “At the same time, in terms of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, the Group of 20 has nothing to be proud of.”

The G20 had adopted the New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration, under which member countries committed to ensuring “strong, sustainable, balanced and inclusive growth”. While the declaration called on all states to refrain from using force to “seek territorial acquisition”, it did not specifically mention Russia in the context of the Ukraine war.

G20 adopted a final declaration. We are grateful to the partners who tried to include strong wording in the text. However, in terms of Russia's aggression against Ukraine, G20 has nothing to be proud of. This is how the main elements of the text could look to be closer to reality pic.twitter.com/qZqYluVKKS— Oleg Nikolenko (@OlegNikolenko_) September 9, 2023

The declaration

With respect to the conflict in Ukraine, the New Delhi Declaration said that all states “must refrain from the threat or use of force to seek territorial...