)
By Alberto Nardelli, Samy Adghirni, Michael Nienaber and Jorge Valero
Diplomats representing the Group of 20 nations have successfully negotiated a compromise wording regarding Russia's invasion of Ukraine, resolving differences that had the potential to jeopardize the issuance of a joint communique at the upcoming weekend summit.
Individuals familiar with the discussions have indicated that the phrasing closely resembles what was agreed upon at last year's summit in Bali, Indonesia, although they prefer to remain anonymous when discussing internal deliberations.
While the approved language still awaits endorsement from G20 leaders, this approval is deemed likely now that senior staff members have reached a consensus on the wording.
The United States and its allies had pushed for a more assertive phrasing to condemn what they perceive as Russia's aggressive actions. In contrast, Moscow had resisted these efforts, aiming to dilute the reference, and, for a period, received support from China.
The final statement is expected to make a direct reference to Russia's war "in" Ukraine, rather than using the "against Ukraine" wording that the United States and its allies had advocated for. Other major points of contention revolved around how to acknowledge varying opinions on sanctions, with some G20 members sharing Russia's opposition to them, and how to define a "just peace" for Ukraine.
Negotiations regarding the wording have continued nearly nonstop in recent days, and the preliminary agreement was reached as the leaders commenced the formal G20 sessions on Saturday in New Delhi.
UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak previously singled out China for obstructing efforts to reach a consensus, stating to Bloomberg News during his flight to India that the pre-summit discussions had been "challenging."
Russia had accused the United States and its allies of exerting pressure on India regarding the language, although New Delhi had been strongly advocating for an agreement on a communique.
Similar tensions over climate and the war were witnessed during last year's G20 summit in Bali, Indonesia, before leaders eventually managed to produce a joint statement on both issues. Since then, however, U.S.-China relations have continued to deteriorate, and the BRICS grouping of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa has agreed to expand to 11 members, signaling resistance to the U.S.-led global order represented by the G-7.
Sunak stated that the UK would "persist in presenting the argument" to China that "Russia's actions are wrong, and it is right to support Ukraine, particularly in terms of food security."
