Western countries have failed to make Ukraine a key point of the agenda of the G20 Summit in New Delhi, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Sunday, adding that the discussions had been mainly focused on the pressing concerns of the Global South instead.
"It is largely due to such a consolidated position of the Global South in defense of its legitimate interests that it was possible to prevent the success of the West's attempt to once again Ukrainianize the entire agenda to the detriment of the discussion of urgent tasks of developing countries," the minister said.
Lavrov noted that the Ukrainian crisis was mentioned in the summit's final declaration "in the context of the need to resolve all conflicts that exist in the world" under the United Nations Charter.
"The Ukrainian paragraph - it is included and is a subject of consensus, but it is not about Ukraine..., the Ukrainian crisis is mentioned, but exclusively in the context of the need to resolve all conflicts that exist in the world, to resolve these conflicts in accordance with all the purposes and principles of the UN Charter," Lavrov added.
Correct Understanding of Ukraine Crisis
Lavrov added that the developing countries of the Group of 20 have a correct understanding of what is happening in Ukraine.
"The Kiev regime has destroyed the territorial integrity of its country on its own. And in full accordance with the UN Charter and international law, the principle of self-determination of peoples has come into force. We have once again stated this very clearly, and there is a correct understanding of what is happening among the developing members of the G20," he stressed.
Minister Lavrov called ridiculous the Western media's claims that Western countries had given Russia an ultimatum in the G20 declaration on the situation in Ukraine.
"What the media write, I read different assessments [about the content of the G20 summit declaration]. And the Financial Times, that it is a failure of the West, on the other hand, someone else, Reuters, I think, wrote that this part of the joint declaration the West agreed and handed over as an ultimatum to the Russian Federation. This is ridiculous! Adults are spreading rumors that simply cannot be taken seriously," Lavrov said.
India has taken over the presidency of the G20 from December 1, 2022. The summit of the group's leaders was held in New Delhi on September 9-10. The leaders of the G20 countries and nine other countries - Bangladesh, Egypt, Mauritius, Nigeria, the Netherlands, Oman, Spain, the United Arab Emirates, Oman and Singapore - were invited to the summit.
Grain Deal Resumption vs. West's Empty Promises
Russia appreciates the United Nations' efforts to restore the grain deal, but they are doomed to failure if the West keeps making empty promises to fulfill obligations toward Moscow, the top Russian diplomat said.
"We appreciate the efforts that [UN Secretary-General] Antonio Guterres is making ... But these efforts are all doomed to failure in the situation when the West only makes promises. And this forced Deputy Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Mr. [Farhan] Haq to admit at a press conference the other day that the Secretariat, through its efforts, in no way violates the sanctions regime illegally imposed against Russia," Lavrov said at the end of the G20 Summit in New Delhi.
The resumption of Russia's participation in the grain deal is possible, but only if all its demands are met, including unblocking of agricultural exports, the minister added.
AU's Accession to G20, More Representation of Global South
During the summit, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the admission of the African Union as a full member of the G20, bringing the membership of the group to 19 states in addition to the European and African Unions.
At the press conference, Lavrov said that the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) could also join the G20 "at some point," following the example of the African Union as an important regional association.
"Perhaps, at some point, the Eurasian Economic Union will also be considered as one of such regionally structured participants," Lavrov added.
Lavrov highlighted the AU's accession to the G20, saying that this process "reflects the presence of trends". He added that there are ideas for the Arab League and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) to join the G20 as well.
He expressed that the G20 leaders’ summit in New Delhi has become a success, while the Group is undergoing an internal reform.
"The summit is an unconditional success, for the Indian presidency, for all of us. The G20 is undergoing an internal reform. This was reflected in the significant activation of G20 members representing the Global South," Lavrov said during the press conference in New Delhi.
The Russian diplomat also noted that the G20 summit in India will provide a positive impetus to the reform of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Trade Organization.
"The summit, of course, will give a very serious impetus, a positive impetus to reform of both the IMF and the World Trade Organization," the minister said.
Lavrov added that if quotas and votes are divided fairly within the IMF, the United States will lose its veto power.
Russia and India are working out ways to create additional payment platforms and boost trade in national currencies, FM Lavrov said, responding to the question from a Sputnik correspondent.
West's Interaction with Africa
Lavrov stressed that Moscow in no way interferes in communications between the West and the African continent.
"We in no way prevent anyone from communicating with anyone," the minister said.
The Russian foreign minister added that "neither [Russian President Vladimir] Putin nor [Chinese President] Xi Jinping, when they participate in various events, prevent the West from communicating with African countries."
"It is the West that is running around the world demanding that no one meet with us," Lavrov continued. "This does not succeed, but they continue to run, run and demand."
He said Western countries need to "get rid of colonial habits" if they want to improve their relations with African states.
"Please, African countries are always ready to communicate," the Russian foreign minister said confidently. "Another thing is that if all this communication consists of patting them on the back and neglecting their vital needs, then probably nothing will come of it."
Progress in Terms of Dedollarization
Lavrov also answered a question from a Sputnik correspondent, elaborating on the topic of the dedollariztion of global trade.
"With respect to dedollarisation, there is some progress, including in our bilateral relations with India. Like I said before, our exporters have a lot of, massive amounts of rupees in their accounts in Indian banks, and now we are looking into the possible ways of investing them in a mutually beneficial way. Now, as for actual transactions, we are working as part of the BRICS group and, back in Johannesburg, a decision was made to look into the ways of expanding the use of national currencies in operations," the minister said.