Missile strikes across Ukraine as Russia’s Lavrov leaves G20

The Ukraine war has cast a long shadow over the G20 summit, and all eyes are on what its final communique – or declaration – will have to say about Russia’s invasion.

Russia is a member of the group and it remains an open, and awkward, question as to whether the statement will have Moscow’s participation.

The other big question is how far it might get watered down. Versions of a draft statement leaked to some media outlets suggest that it could say “most” G20 countries strongly condemn the war in Ukraine.

But the declaration – to be formally adopted by leaders on Wednesday – is likely to be negotiated up to the very last minute.

Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has already hit back, saying that Western countries are trying to “politicise” the declaration by pushing a line condemning the invasion on behalf of all countries, including Russia.

Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov arriving at the G20 summit in BaliImage caption: Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov arriving at the G20 summit in Bali

But world leaders have also made it very clear they have little patience left. At the opening of the summit, Indonesian president and summit host Joko Widodo insisted the Russian war must end, while UK PM Rishi Sunak told Lavrov Russia must “get out” of Ukraine.

Meanwhile, all eyes are also on China and how it could influence Russia. But so far, despite lobbying efforts from the US and France, Xi Jinping has given little public indication that he plans to do more to push President Putin to end the war.

He has repeated China’s calls for peace at this summit but at the same time emphasised that there is “no simple solution to a complex problem”.

Earlier this week, senior US officials told reporters they believed China was “surprised and embarrassed” by Russia. But in public at least, China is making it clear it will not lean any further on its close ally.