G20 Delhi Summit: Charles Michel condemns Putin’s war against the Ukrainian people

Ahead of the G20 Delhi Summit this weekend, President of the European Council Charles Michel condemned the actions of Putin’s Russia in its ongoing war against the Ukrainian people.

“As we speak, Russia continues to attack the sovereign nation of Ukraine, killing people, destroying its cities. This is why the EU will continue to strongly back Ukraine and to pile pressure on Russia. The Kremlin’s war is also unravelling lives far beyond Ukraine, including right here in South Asia.

“Over 250 million people face acute food insecurity worldwide. And by deliberately attacking Ukrainian ports, the Kremlin is depriving them of the food they desperately need. It is scandalous that Russia, after terminating the Black Sea Initiative, is blocking and attacking Ukrainian sea ports.

“This must stop. Ships with grain must have safe access through the Black Sea. Antonio Guterres’ United Nations initiative had delivered 30 to 32 million tonnes to the markets, especially to developing countries. The Kremlin’s offer of 1 million tonnes of grain to Africa is therefore absolutely cynical.

“On our side, the EU is stepping up to provide alternative export routes through our solidarity lanes, which so far have delivered 41 million tonnes of grains.”

The 2023 G20 New Delhi summit is the eighteenth meeting of G20, and will take place in Bharat Mandapam International Exhibition-Convention Centre, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi in 2023. It will be the first G20 summit to be held in India as well as in South Asia.

Read also: G20: “Global leaders must make clear Putin’s withdrawal from the Black Sea Grain Initiative has increased Russia’s global isolation”