German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on Saturday he hoped India “will do what is necessary” as host of the G20 to clearly condemn the war in Ukraine, a year after the Russian invasion, and succeed in promoting measures aimed at limiting the impact on the most vulnerable countries during the group’s finance meeting.
“Regarding joint decisions at the G20, I am happy that India is assuming the presidency of the G20. This year there is a very difficult point to highlight but I am confident that India will fully comply with what must be done in this regard,” Scholz said. said from New Delhi, in an act in which he was accompanied by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Scholz’s statements come after Spanish Prime Minister Nadia Calviño today claimed talks between G20 finance chiefs are becoming ‘less constructive’ as the war in Ukraine progresses, which has begun a year ago with Russia. invasion.
In this context, the German Chancellor underlined the importance of “ensuring that the countries of Asia, Africa and the Americas are not too strongly negatively affected by the terrible war of aggression that Russia has launched against Ukraine”.
Scholz stressed that the war “violates the fundamental principles” of the international community, mainly that which prevents changing borders “through violence”. For this reason, he stressed the importance of “stating very clearly where we stand on this issue” before the United Nations.
India abstained this week from voting on a UN General Assembly resolution calling for a “cessation of hostilities” in that country and the withdrawal of Russian troops.
India’s position on the conflict is seen as one of the main obstacles preventing G20 ministers from concluding the meeting with the unanimous adoption of a declaration which also addresses other fundamental issues such as the over-indebtedness of countries, the reform of multilateral organizations and aid mechanisms for countries in crisis.
Scholz arrived in India on Saturday to deepen bilateral trade relations, as well as to advance defense issues, during a two-day official visit.