New Delhi: Within a year, the leaders of the world’s 20 major economies have further softened their concerns about the Ukraine war, with the Rio Declaration offering only general platitudes about the need to end the conflict.
As in Delhi, the G20 declaration in Rio was released on the first day of the summit after all countries reached a consensus on the language.
In September 2023, negotiators worked until the last moment on the language regarding the Ukraine war, with the final declaration including seven paragraphs on the conflict.
This time, however, there was only one paragraph addressing the Ukraine war, which referenced “recalling our discussions in New Delhi” to echo language about “human suffering” and the “negative” impacts on the global economy and food security.
“We welcome all relevant and constructive initiatives that support a comprehensive, just and durable peace, upholding all the Purposes and Principles of the UN Charter for the promotion of peaceful, friendly, and good neighborly relations among nations,” stated the Rio Declaration.
Indian officials had previously highlighted the Delhi Declaration featuring the phrase “Today’s era must not be of war”, spoken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Russian President Vladimir Putin, as a sign of respect garnered by India globally.
That phrase is no longer present in the 2024 Leaders’ Declaration.
There was also no language condemning nuclear threats or demanding a cessation of attacks on essential energy infrastructure.
Also read | G20 Declaration: As the West Scrambles to Justify ‘Softened’ Language on Ukraine War, Russia Exults
“The language is not strong enough … But nobody wanted to push too far, otherwise it would have been a fight and there would be no statement,” an European diplomat told the Financial Times.
Incidentally, the Delhi Declaration was also criticised for being more lenient on Russia compared to the 2022 Bali joint statement, where “most members” had strongly deplored “the aggression by the Russian Federation against Ukraine and demanded its complete and unconditional withdrawal from Ukrainian territory.”
It had also stated that “most members strongly condemned the war in Ukraine”.
In the Rio document, there was a longer paragraph on the Gaza war, which called for a “comprehensive ceasefire in Gaza in line with UN Security Council Resolution n. 2735 and in Lebanon that enables citizens to return safely to their homes on both sides of the Blue Line”.
It also called for removing roadblocks to delivering humanitarian aid.
“While expressing our deep concern about the catastrophic humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip and the escalation in Lebanon, we emphasise the urgent need to expand the flow of humanitarian assistance and to reinforce the protection of civilians and demand the lifting of all barriers to the provision of humanitarian assistance at scale,” said the G20 declaration.
The New York Times recently reported that Israel had significantly reduced the flow of food and supplies to Gaza over the past month, despite warnings from the US administration to Tel Aviv to increase aid or risk a potential cutoff in military assistance.
Endorsing Palestine’s right to self-determination, the G20 declaration reiterated its “unwavering commitment to the vision of the two-State solution where Israel and a Palestinian State live side by side in peace within secure and recognised borders, consistent with international law and relevant UN resolutions.”
