The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs conveyed clear disappointment over the G20 final declaration on the Ukraine crisis, noting that it did not include explicit language condemning Russia. Oleg Nikolenko, the ministry’s spokesperson, conveyed these concerns through his social media posts, emphasizing Ukraine’s expectation for stronger and more direct language from the group of leading economies.
According to Nikolenko, the G20 final declaration acknowledged efforts by some partners to bolster the text with firmer wording. He claimed that those attempts to strengthen the language were appreciated, yet the overall phrasing failed to meet Kyiv’s expectations for a robust stance on Russia’s aggression in Ukraine.
Nikolenko further asserted that the final declaration’s language left Ukraine without the level of political support that Kyiv seeks, stating in his remarks that the G20 members have little to boast about when the document is weighed against the ongoing conflict and the international response to it.
Additionally, the spokesperson referenced a scanned excerpt from the declaration showing that certain sentences had been struck out and replaced with options that Kyiv officials found more acceptable. The implication was that Kyiv secured only a partial concession, not a decisive commitment against Russian actions.
At the New Delhi summit, held on September 9, Svetlana Lukash, the G20 Sherpa for Russia, joined the heads of state and government to discuss a unified approach toward global conflicts. Her participation underscored the ongoing negotiation dynamics as leaders searched for a shared path to curb escalations and resolve disputes through multilateral channels.
The final declaration contends that, within the context of the Ukraine events, G20 members reaffirmed their national policies and decisions previously adopted by the United Nations Security Council and the General Assembly. It stresses that all countries should refrain from the threat or use of force to seize territory, signaling a broad, shared commitment to international norms, even as member states diverge on remedies and accountability mechanisms.
Meanwhile, officials from the Russian side, including those associated with the former Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, urged media outlets not to be swayed by provocative interpretations of the G20 statement. They called for calm, disciplined commentary that reflects the official positions rather than sensationalized narratives that could derail diplomatic efforts.