G20 Summit: Albanese condemns Russia’s war despite watered-down joint leaders statement

Anthony Albanese has condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as G20 leaders issued a watered-down joint statement that noted the economic impacts of the war without naming the perpetrators.

The Prime Minister called out Russia in remarks during both the opening and closing sessions of the meeting of the world’s largest economies in New Delhi over the weekend.

“Russia must end its invasion, which continues to exact a horrific human toll and exacerbate economic fragilities around the world adding to the difficulties that countries face in ensuring both food and energy security,” he said on Sunday to the room that included Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov.

Leader after leader had delivered similar messages in their statements during the Saturday session.

“Russia has to have gotten the message that this is having a devastating impact and that the world wants this war to stop,” Mr Albanese said afterward.

However, the joint leaders’ declaration did not name Russia nor condemn the war, unlike the consensus statement landed at the G20 in Bali last year.

Instead, it said the leaders “highlighted the human suffering and negative added impacts of the war in Ukraine” and focused on the G20’s role as a forum for economic cooperation rather than a place to resolve geopolitical issues.

“There were different views and assessments of the situation,” the statement said. “Today’s era must not be of war.”

China and Russia — neither of which sent their president to the meeting in India — stymied efforts to use stronger language in the statement.

Their interference meant officials couldn’t agree on the final declaration’s words. Reuters reported it went to the leaders with a blank “geopolitical situation” paragraph for negotiations to continue at the highest level.

Mr Albanese described the final position as “a strong consensus message on Russia’s war on Ukraine”, saying the G20 had to grapple with the fact Russia was part of the agreement and wanted to end with something all countries endorsed.

Unusually, the joint declaration was issued on Saturday afternoon before the summit’s final session on Sunday.

US President Joe Biden didn’t attend the Sunday session, departing India after a ceremonial wreath-laying at the Raj Ghat memorial to Mahatma Gandhi.

Earlier, he said it would have been nice if Chinese President Xi Jinping had attended but “the summit is going well” without him.

Senior White House official Kurt Campbell said it was a disappointment for India that the Russian and Chinese leaders had not come to the meeting.

Mr Albanese highlighted to fellow leaders the work that needs to be done by all nations to maintain a rules-based order.

“Peace and stability is not a gift, nor is it a given — it has to be built, defended and upheld,” he said.

“Without peace and stability, prosperity and development will remain elusive to too many people around the world.”

He returns to Australia on Monday, heading straight back to Parliament for question time after a chaotic week in his absence.

But the Prime Minister said it had been important Australia had a seat at the international table.

“Whether it’s climate change, energy, resources or supply chains, being part of these conversations means that Australia gets to shape the solutions,” he said.