Ukraine Calls for Russia to be Cast Out of G20 Summit

The Ukrainian foreign ministry’s spokesperson, Oleg Nikolenko, asserted on Tuesday, Nov. 1, that President Vladimir Putin’s invitation to the G20 summit in Bali next month should be revoked and Russia should be cast out of the Group of 20 major economies.

“Putin publicly acknowledged ordering missile strikes on Ukrainian civilians and energy infrastructure,” Nikolenko wrote on Twitter.

“With his hands stained in blood, he must not be allowed to sit at the table with world leaders. Putin’s invitation to Bali summit must be revoked, and Russia expelled from G20,” he continued.

The Group of Twenty, or G20, is an intergovernmental organization made up of the European Union (EU) and 19 other nations. It strives to address important global economic concerns like international financial stability, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and sustainable development.

The G20 Leaders Summit will gather for the 17th time this year, in Bali, Indonesia, on Nov. 15 and 16, with the theme “Recover Together, Recover Stronger” where the strenuous work done throughout the year through ministerial meetings, working groups, and engagement groups are brought to a close

Zelensky has called for the expulsion of Moscow from the G20, but since Ukraine is not a member, this is likely to have little impact, according to credible reports.

There has been a precedent. The G8 club was reduced to the current G7, which consists of the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Japan, France, Germany, and Italy, when Russia was removed after Russia’s illegitimate annexation of Crimea. The G7 table also includes the presidents of the European Commission and Council.

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Putin has not yet determined whether he will attend or if a high-level delegation will represent him in Bali. If he attends, it will mark the Kremlin chief’s first significant international summit alongside leading Western figures, including U.S. President Joe Biden, since Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24.

The goal of Indonesian President Joko Widodo is to use the G20 summit to advance peace talks with Ukraine.

Putin’s potential presence, however, is alarming to the West. John Kirby, a spokesperson for the U.S. National Security Council, stated that Biden, for one, has no desire “to sit down with Vladimir Putin.”

This indicates that although there may be brief verbal exchanges between the two, bilateral negotiations will not be possible.

Additionally, while discussing Ukraine without the participation of the country’s officials may appeal to Putin, it is inappropriate to the West.

However, Russia has allies in the G20, including but not limited to the BRICS nations (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa), which make up the acronym. Putin has already stated that he gets along well with both the current and incoming presidents of Brazil.

As part of a comprehensive exit strategy to aid in global recovery, Indonesia’s G20 presidency will prioritise three important pillars: global health architecture, digital economy transformation, and energy transition.

Through the implementation of these three foundations, Indonesia hopes to maintain its position as a global leader in the areas of ensuring equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines, fostering inclusive and sustainable economic growth through the involvement of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), and the digital economy.

The G20 consists of 19 countries as well as the European Union. The 19 nations are Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Germany, France, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Mexico, the Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, and the United States.

The summit has also invited President Volodymyr Zelensky as a guest, along with leaders from countries such as Cambodia, Fiji, Rwanda, Singapore, Senegal, Netherlands, Spain, Suriname, and the United Arab Emirates.