Federal Government
Baerbock to Putin before the G20 meeting: The world will not be forgotten
Shortly before the second anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock has clear words for Russian President Vladimir Putin (archive photo). photo
© Dirk Waem/Belga/dpa
Shortly before the second anniversary of the Russian attack on Ukraine, the foreign ministers of the leading economic powers are meeting in Brazil. These are consultations in the shadow of global crises.
Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock spoke before a meeting of the group of leading and emerging economic powers (G20) reminded Russian President Vladimir Putin of his responsibility for the global consequences of the war of aggression against Ukraine. “If Putin believes that after two years the world will eventually forget who is responsible for the war in Ukraine and its dramatic global consequences, he is wrong,” said the Green politician before departing for meetings of the G20. Foreign Minister in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
“We will never abandon the basic principles of the United Nations and stand firmly by Ukraine’s side – for as long as necessary and until its people can live in peace and freedom again,” the Federal Foreign Minister added to Putin.
Shortly before the second anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine on February 24th, Ukraine, the Gaza war and the impending conflagration in the Middle East are expected to play an important role at the G20 meeting. The humanitarian situation of the civilian population in the Gaza Strip is also likely to be an issue. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov is expected in Rio. In addition to Germany, France and the USA, the group also includes Russia and China, among others. The G20 represents around 80 percent of the world’s economic power and 60 percent of the world’s population. Brazil currently holds the presidency.
Baerbock: Humanity and law against nefariousness
Before the meeting, Baerbock emphasized: “We counteract the nefariousness of actors like the Russian government, who only care about the rights of the strongest, with our humanity and our commitment to international law.” The whole world benefits “if everyone sticks to the rules that we have agreed upon together.” This Friday, Baerbock wants to give speeches at the United Nations in New York in the UN General Assembly and in the World Security Council on the anniversary of the attack.
The G20 was founded with the confidence “that common solutions are possible if we stand together and pool our strengths,” said Baerbock. This includes “finally dusting off old, entrenched structures and making our international institutions fit for a world in transition.” Too often, as in the UN Security Council or the World Bank, they reflect a time long past, while too many countries are crushed under the burden of debt and the climate crisis threatens the existence of entire states.
“Inequalities dramatically worsened”
“Better listening and the necessary respect for the concerns of our partners in Latin America, Asia and Africa must be reflected in concrete action,” said Baerbock. The fact that the World Bank’s mandate now also includes climate protection and that the African Union is finally at the table at the G20 are important, long-overdue steps. The Covid pandemic, extreme climate fluctuations and Russia’s war have dramatically increased inequalities in the world. Every sixth child lives in extreme poverty.
Brazil for peace negotiations on Ukraine
Brazil has long advocated for peace negotiations to end Russia’s war against Ukraine. Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has announced that he will use the G20 presidency to further peace efforts and invite Putin to the summit in Rio de Janeiro. Lula did not want to take a position on the issue of the international arrest warrant against the Russian. “Whether he will be arrested when he comes? It may be, it may not be. That will be decided by the judiciary,” Lula said recently. In contrast to Russia and the USA, Brazil is one of the parties to the Rome Statute to the International Criminal Court, which issued the arrest warrant.
President Lula criticized for Holocaust comparison
Lula advocates a two-state solution to the Middle East conflict. This means an independent Palestinian state that exists peacefully side by side with Israel. He did condemn the massacre carried out by terrorists from Hamas and other extremist Palestinian organizations on October 7th in Israel near the border with the Gaza Strip. However, Lula also criticized Israel’s reaction in the Gaza Strip as excessive because of the numerous civilian casualties.
Last weekend, Lula compared the Israeli military operation to the Holocaust. “What is happening to the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip has never happened at any other time in history. In fact, it already happened: when Hitler decided to kill the Jews,” he said at the African Union summit. Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz then said that unless Lula apologized and retracted his statement, he would not be welcome in Israel.