SEPTEMBER 11, 2023
US State Department official spokesperson Matthew Miller said the G20 leadership summit ended with “great fervour” in New Delhi under India’s presidency and that the summit was an ‘absolute success’.
“We absolutely believe it was a success. The G20 is a big organisation. Russia is a member of the G20. China is a member of the G20,” Miller said.
The US State Department spokesperson was quizzed on Russia not being painted as an “aggressor” in the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian war in eastern Ukraine.
The joint declaration after New Delhi leadership summit did not accuse any party directly for the Russo-Ukrainian war, which entered its 566th day on Tuesday.
The joint declaration rather warned strictly against usage of nuclear weapons and even issuing threats of nuclear weapons and urged all parties to respect one another’s territorial sovereignty and integrity.
It urged members of the bloc to work for a durable and lasting peace in Ukraine and pave the way for diplomacy for cessation of hostilities.
“There are members that have a diverse range of views. We believe the fact that the organisation was able to issue a statement that calls for respecting territorial integrity and sovereignty and saying that those principles should not be violated is an extremely important statement because that is exactly what is at the heart of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine,” Miller said.
Miller’s words were an indication that Western nations, who before the summit kicked off, seemed adamant on painting Russia as an aggressor, agreed at the leadership level and under India’s presidency, that the G20 should not be a forum for political disputes and ensure the bloc remains the premier forum for international economic cooperation.
“It is those very questions so we thought that was an incredibly important statement for them to make,” Miller added.
“Concerning the war in Ukraine, while recalling the discussion in Bali, we reiterated our national positions and resolutions adopted at the UN Security Council and the UN General Assembly and underscored that all States must act in a manner consistent with the Purposes and Principles of the UN Charter in its entirety,” the joint declaration said.
“In line with the UN Charter, all states must refrain from the threat or use of force to seek territorial acquisition against the territorial integrity and sovereignty or political independence of any state. The use or threat of use of nuclear weapons are inadmissible,” it further added.
