Just before the second anniversary of Russia's attack on Ukraine, G20 foreign ministers meet. Foreign Minister Baerbock came with a clear message – to her Russian counterpart Lavrov.
Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs Annalena Baerbock urged the G20 group of major economic powers to use their weight to find a solution to the crises in Ukraine and Gaza. It is “more than good that Brazil now has the presidency of the G20, as it focuses on climate protection and justice and then the climate conference will take place here in Brazil next year”, said the Green politician on the sidelines of the G20 deliberations. Minister in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
“The truth is that we will not make this world fairer if we do not control acute crises.” This applies to the brutal Russian war of aggression in Ukraine, but also to the situation in the Middle East, said the Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs. “The effects of these two wars are hitting the poorest people around the world the hardest.” This is why it is so important that the G20, beyond the issues of justice, climate protection and the fight against poverty, looks for ways to achieve peace in Ukraine and the Middle East.
“Russia’s aggression is more than a regional conflict”
After the meeting began, Baerbock again spoke directly with his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov. “If you care about human lives, if you care about your own people, Russian children and young people, you must end this war now,” Baerbock said, addressing Lavrov, who was sitting three seats to his side. left. “If Russia ended this war now, the path to peace and justice tomorrow would be open,” he added.
Addressing the other members of the group, Baerbock appealed: “If we want to build a 'just world', we must face wars and crises together.
She respects different perspectives on the war in Ukraine. A country 10,000 kilometers from Kiev perceives a different security threat than a country in Europe. But “Russia’s aggression is more than a regional conflict,” Baerbock warned. Russia's war of aggression “calls on all of us to resolutely defend the fundamental principles that protect us all: the Charter of the United Nations, international law and human rights. These principles protect all nations, regardless of whether they are large or small “.
Harsh criticism, no meeting
On the sidelines of the G20 conference, Lavrov met with his Brazilian counterpart Mauro Vieira for talks in Rio. A bilateral meeting between Baerbock and Lavrov was not planned, as was the case at the G20 foreign ministers' meeting in India in 2023. Furthermore, there should be no family photo together, as was common in Ukraine before the war.
“The Wars of 2024”
Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira said his country is deeply concerned about the international security situation. The UN Security Council and the UN General Assembly are currently unable to deal with current challenges. “Given the current situation, the G20 group is perhaps the most important international forum today where countries with opposing views can still come together and have productive discussions.”
At the same time, there are “urgent problems to resolve with regard to development and the fight against hunger, poverty and inequality. These are the wars we have to fight in 2024.”
Baerbock rejects comparison with the Holocaust
Baerbock rejected Brazilian President Lula's statements that the Israeli military deployment in the Gaza Strip could be compared to the Holocaust. “The Holocaust cannot be compared to anything,” she said in response to a journalist’s question about Lula’s words.
Lula compared the Israeli military operation at the African Union summit in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, to the Holocaust. Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz then declared Lula persona non grata and summoned the Brazilian ambassador to the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial. The Brazilian government, in turn, summoned the Israeli ambassador and recalled its representative in Israel for consultations.
Barbara Kostolnik, ARD Berlin, currently Rio de Janeiro, tagesschau, February 21, 2024 4:46 pm