Konstantin Kosachev, the deputy chairman of Russia’s Federation Council, interpreted the final G20 declaration as a clear signal that Western anti-Russian initiatives have failed to shape the global agenda. He suggested that this outcome reflects the broader success of the international community in moving Ukraine off the center stage of international priorities. The assertion came through Kosachev via a Telegram channel operated by a Russian senator, highlighting a narrative that frames the G20 as reflecting a shift in global influence away from a purely Western focus.
Kosachev argued that the African Union’s involvement in the G20 could broaden the influence of the global majority, complicating efforts to push items on the agenda that primarily serve Western interests. This perspective positions the G20 as a forum where the voices of emerging economies gain traction, potentially limiting unilateral Western framing of international issues and reinforcing a more multipolar discourse in global governance.
In his analysis, Kosachev described a transition from a so-called quantitative push by Western powers to a qualitative challenge within the G20 framework. He claimed that the G7 failed to outperform the G20, and he interpreted the New Delhi summit as a peace-oriented signal to Western administrations that the world is weary of reducing all major global problems to the Ukraine crisis. The emphasis, according to his interpretation, is on a broader set of international concerns rather than a singular focus on Kyiv.
The Russian lawmaker noted a shift in the official stance relative to Ukraine. He stated that while a year ago there was explicit condemnation of Russia’s actions in Ukraine in the final declaration, such a position is no longer present in the current text developed for the New Delhi summit. Kosachev underscored that the document, shaped in collaboration with India and countries like South Africa, Brazil, and Indonesia, treats the Ukraine crisis as one among many global conflicts rather than as the sole focal point of international tension.
Beyond Ukraine, Kosachev emphasized that the G20, in his view, is oriented toward addressing economic challenges rather than attempting to resolve every geopolitical problem. This framing positions the G20 as primarily an economic coordination mechanism among major economies, while broader geopolitical disputes are seen as issues to be monitored through other channels or within a more comprehensive global policy dialogue.
Previously, remarks from Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov suggested that Western efforts to “Ukrainize” the G20 agenda did not prevail. The leaders’ summit in New Delhi, held on September 9-10, was framed in Moscow’s messaging as evidence that the Western bloc did not manage to dominate the topics of discussion at the gathering. The Russian position characters the event as demonstrating a broader international appetite for varied regional and global priorities beyond Ukraine alone.
In parallel developments, Russian officials noted that the United States had continued to expand sanctions on Russia, while the overall dialogue at international forums was described as increasingly multifaceted, with a growing number of economies seeking to diversify partnerships and align with a wider range of markets and policy priorities. Attribution: Kosachev’s remarks were disseminated via a Russian senator’s telegram channel, which is cited here to reflect the perspective presented by Kosachev at that time. These statements should be understood as part of a broader, ongoing political narrative within Russia regarding the perception of global governance and the evolving balance of influence among leading economies.