The Canadian Prime Minister against the presence of Russia at the G20 summit

Posted On: August 14, 2022

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau defended on Thursday the exclusion of Russia from the next G20 meeting, because he understands that the country which launched an invasion of Ukraine cannot be considered a “constructive partner”.

“I don’t think we can sit with Russia at a table”fired at the head of the Canadian government, adding that he had already discussed this file with the Indonesian president, who chairs the G20 [grupo que reúne as maiores economias do mundo] This year.

For Justin Trudeau, “It makes no sense to have a discussion about global economic growth if the country responsible for much of the trouble is at the same table”.

This decision belongs to the G20 itself, a format created to foster dialogue between the former industrial powers of the G7 and emerging economic giants such as China, Brazil or Russia.

“It is logical that Vladimir Putin is not present this year. A long-term expulsion will have to be discussed.”still supported Trudeau.

US President Joe Biden also called last week to exclude Russia from the G20.

Indonesia, which chairs the G20, has already expressed that it will remain “impartial”, while China has stressed that Vladimir Putin should take his place at the summit scheduled for November in Indonesia.

Russia was suspended indefinitely from the group of eight most industrialized countries in the world (G8 – now back to the G7) in 2014, after the annexation of the Ukrainian Crimean peninsula.

On Friday, Moscow said its possible expulsion from the G20 over the “special military operation” in Ukraine “will not be lethal”, while stressing the importance of cooperation in this format and confirming its presence at the event.

“As for the format of the G20, it is important. However, in the current circumstances, when the majority of the members are in a state of economic war with us, the possible exclusion of Moscow will not be fatal”said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov.

Russia launched a military offensive in Ukraine on February 24 that killed at least 1,232 civilians, including 112 children, and injured 1,935, including 149 children, according to the latest UN data, which warns of the likelihood of the number actual civilian casualties. much higher.

The war has caused the flight of more than 10 million people, including more than 4 million refugees in neighboring countries and nearly 6.5 million internally displaced persons.

The UN estimates that around 13 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance in Ukraine.

The Russian invasion was condemned by the entire international community, which reacted by sending arms to Ukraine and increasing economic and political sanctions against Moscow.