Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Sunday said that Russian aggression of Ukraine has shaken the foundation of cooperation at G20 and has caused enormous effects on the world economy.
The comment comes a day after the G20 adopted a joint statement, titled G20 New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration, amid sharp divisions over Ukraine War and toning down of the language related to it.
Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, plunging Europe into the continent's worst conflict since World War II. The war has disrupted the world economy and also led to food insecurity in parts of the world as Russia and Ukraine are the largest exporters of grain and fertilsiers and several countries depend on them.
Speaking to media on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Delhi, Kishida said that the war has caused "enormous impact to the world economy" through its effect on food and energy prices. He also said that G20 is becoming increasingly important.
Kishdida said, "Today as the world faces compound crisis collaboration at the G 20 as the premier forum for international economic cooperation is becoming increasingly important. Russia's aggression on Ukraine is shaking the very foundation of cooperation at the G 20. It could shake the basis of cooperation at the G 20, further it is causing an enormous impact to the world economy through such factors as the protracted rise of food and energy prices. From such perspectives at this year's G20 Summit, most of the G20 members, including Japan, highlighted the importance of upholding the UN Charter. "
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Kishida further said that Japan has pressed for the immediate withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine and even the threats of nuclear weapons in the ongoing war is unacceptable.
Throughout the Ukraine War, Russia has threatened the use of nuclear weapons. It has been speculated that Russia could use at least short-range tactical nuclear weapons at some point. The tensions have further risen as Russia has stationed nuclear weapons in neighbouring ally Belarus.
"We underscored our position that Russia's nuclear threat let alone its use of nuclear weapons is absolutely unacceptable. I also highlighted the importance of assistance from the global community to vulnerable populations under conflict," said Kishida in a video shared by ANI.
Kishida called the finalisation of the G20 New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration with consensus a "truly meaningful achievement". Initially, there were apprehensions that such a declation might not come as there were sharp divisions among the G20 members of Ukraine, as China and Russia differed vastly from the Western countries on Ukraine War.
"Under the leadership of India as this year's chair, we were able to agree on the G20 Leaders' declaration which is a truly meaningful achievement. Japan has been engaged in the negotiations with the intent to pass on the outcome of the G7 to the G20 and we were able to hand over to the G20 points that were confirmed at the Hiroshima Summit. I look forward to working with other leaders to follow up on the outcomes delivered by the G7 and G20," said Kishida, as per ANI
