G20 Summit Declaration Avoids Explicit Mention of Russia but Hints at Ukraine War

The G20 group condemned, only indirectly, the war waged by Russia against Ukraine since 2022, in its final declaration issued in Johannesburg on Saturday.

According to the host country, South Africa, the "Leaders' Declaration" adopted during the first working session of the G20 summit in Johannesburg does not explicitly mention Russia or its president, Vladimir Putin.

However, the first page of the final declaration, which spans 30 pages and was unusually adopted early in a summit that continues until Sunday, contains clear references to Russia's actions in Ukraine.

The G20 affirmed that, according to the United Nations Charter, "all states must refrain from the threat or use of force to gain territorial advantages at the expense of the territorial integrity and political independence of any state."

It also emphasized that countries must maintain friendly relations with each other "including by promoting and encouraging respect for human rights."

Putin is accused of committing serious human rights violations in the war against Ukraine.

Before the meeting, it was unclear whether a joint final declaration would be issued or just a statement from the host country, due to former U.S. President Donald Trump's boycott of the summit.

Trump is absent because he accuses the South African government of severe repression against white farmers, accusations that South Africa rejects and describes as baseless.