G20 leaders’ denouncement of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is vital: PM Lee

NUSA DUA, Indonesia: Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong mentioned on Wednesday (Nov 16) that it was vital that the Group of 20 (G20) leaders expressed their views on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as it might have been a “weakening of their ethical case”, had they not performed so. 

On Wednesday, G20 leaders issued a declaration deploring “within the strongest phrases” Russia’s aggression in opposition to Ukraine.

The ultimate communique mentioned the vast majority of members strongly condemned the conflict in Ukraine, however famous there have been different views.

In the meantime, Russia’s International Minister Sergei Lavrov, who’s representing the nation on the summit in President Vladimir Putin’s absence, accused the West of attempting to politicise the declaration.

Chatting with journalists at a media interview, Mr Lee mentioned: “We didn’t anticipate him to alter his view on account of listening to what the G20 members mentioned.”

“However I believe it will be significant that these views have been expressed, and that Russia is aware of that that is the load of the opinion of the worldwide group and that view that Russia is within the incorrect has not modified.”

“If we had not mentioned these statements or if we had not been in a position to put these statements into the communique, I believe it might have been a weakening of our ethical case and a weakening of the stress which is important to be delivered to bear on a rustic which has transgressed in opposition to worldwide norms and undermined the UN Constitution,” he added.

Mr Lee was wrapping up his three-day working go to to Indonesia’s resort island of Bali, the place he attended the G20 Leaders’ Summit.

Singapore just isn’t a G20 member however the nation has been invited to take part in lots of previous summits and associated conferences because the convenor of the World Governance Group (3G) – a casual grouping of 30 small- and medium-sized members of the United Nations.

Established by Singapore in 2009, the 3G goals to advertise higher dialogue between the G20 and the broader UN membership.

Turning to US-China relations, Mr Lee mentioned whereas the end result of the current assembly between United States President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Bali was constructive, it’s going to take time for the 2 international locations to resolve their points.

“The assembly has proven the intention of either side to stabilise relations and to keep away from a battle and to work collectively to resolve the very troublesome issues that are between them,” he mentioned.

He additionally famous that the 2 international locations are renewing cooperation on areas together with local weather change, with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken set to travel to China to observe up on the discussions within the first quarter of subsequent yr.

“They’re beginning to take care of the issues however in fact, the issues themselves are very troublesome ones and it’ll take a while to resolve and I believe it will likely be robust,” he mentioned.

“I believe it is a constructive final result nevertheless it’s removed from the top of the difficulty,” he added.

With the world turning into more and more troubled, Mr Lee mentioned Singaporeans must be psychologically ready and keep united.

“What occurs in Ukraine is already affecting us by way of inflation, the price of vitality, the price of meals, and the preoccupation with safety points,” he mentioned.

“If there’s a battle in our a part of the world or issues between US and China that may most positively have an effect on us,” he mentioned. “It could possibly be instability within the area. It could possibly be appreciable financial impacts on funding flows, on commerce flows.”