As he welcomed attendees to the G20 conference on Tuesday in Bali, Indonesian President Joko Widodo urged them to “stop the conflict.” The gathering will center on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
“Being responsible means creating not zero-sum situations, being responsible here also means that we must end the war. If the war does not end, it will be difficult for the world to move forward,” he told leaders ahead of the summit’s opening session.
US and European officials framed the Bali summit as proof of Russia’s growing isolation, looking toward an united G20 resolution that would denounce Russia’s eight-month-old incursion and threats to use nuclear weapons.
However, Jakarta pursues a neutral foreign policy and defied Western attempts to exclude Moscow from the meeting before it even takes place.
Widodo pleaded with audience members to refrain from allowing a new Cold War between superpowers without specifically mentioning Russia.
“We should not divide the world into parts. We must not allow the world to fall into another Cold War,” he said.
Russia is being represented by Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, with President Vladimir Putin shunning the gathering.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will address the meeting virtually.
As surging inflation fueled by Moscow’s invasion pushes millions further into poverty and pushes many countries into recession, G20 leaders are meeting in Bali.
US allies hope that the war’s negative economic effects will influence G20 countries that are profoundly concerned about price increases but are reluctant about criticizing Russia.
The bloc of the world’s major economies must be successful in addressing the most urgent crises, according to Widodo.
“Today, the world’s eye is on us. Will we score a success? Or will we add one more failure?” he told delegates.
“For me, the G20 must be successful, it must not fail.”
