G20 Highlights Rising Risk of Ukraine War Escalation... Divergent Positions Among Countries

Eng "Putin Out"... Turkey "Russia's Self-Help Measures"

The Group of 20 (G20) summit concluded amid heightened geopolitical tensions due to the escalating risk of the Russia-Ukraine war spreading. The leaders showed differing stances regarding Ukraine's strikes on Russian territory and Russia's announcement of its nuclear doctrine.

According to the Associated Press and The Guardian on the 19th (local time), UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer criticized Russia's revision of its nuclear doctrine, which lowers the threshold for nuclear weapon use, at the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro, stating, "Irresponsible rhetoric continues from Russia, but we will not give up supporting Ukraine."

Keir Starmer UK Prime Minister Reuters Yonhap News

Prime Minister Starmer pointed out that Russian President Vladimir Putin has not attended the G20 summit for three consecutive years, calling him "someone who has created a self-imposed exile." He added, "I say to Putin once again: end the war and leave Ukraine."

On the same day, Russia responded by announcing a nuclear doctrine easing the conditions for nuclear weapon use after being attacked by the US-supplied surface-to-surface missile ATACMS in Ukraine.

Sergey Lavrov, Russian Foreign Minister attending the G20 meeting, warned, "This is a signal that the US and the West want to escalate tensions," and urged, "I hope the West carefully reads the updated doctrine."

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz expressed regret that the G20 leaders' declaration did not emphasize Russia's responsibility for the Ukraine war. He said, "It is unfortunate that the G20 could not find wording to clearly explain Russia's responsibility," adding, "It is becoming clear how much geopolitical tensions are affecting the G20. I feel the winds blowing through international relations are growing stronger."

In the declaration released on the G20 Secretariat's website, the leaders, in the ninth clause out of 85, stated, "We particularly emphasize the suffering of the people and the negative additional impacts related to the Ukraine war," and welcomed all relevant and constructive initiatives supporting comprehensive, just, and sustainable peace. Major foreign media evaluated this as lacking specificity in the declaration.

Meanwhile, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an, who positions himself as a 'negotiation mediator' keeping dialogue channels open with Putin, stated that he does not support the US decision. According to The Guardian, President Erdo?an said, "Russia must take measures to protect itself, and NATO should carefully review Russia's statements." He also added that although Ukraine used ATACMS to attack Russia, he will continue to urge for peace.