G20 Finance Ministers End Meeting with Differing Opinions on the Ukraine War

Minister of Finance Sri Mulyani Indrawati (left third). (Photo: Doc. ANTARA)

NEW DELHI - India's first G20 finance ministers meeting ended Saturday, February 25 yesterday, with mixed opinions on the war in Ukraine.

India should release the chairmanship minutes and outcome documents of the conference instead of making a joint statement after the meeting in Bengaluru.

Most member states deeply deplore Russia's aggression in Ukraine and demand the complete and unconditional withdrawal of Russian troops to which Russia and China do not agree.

They also emphasized that the war in Ukraine is causing people immense suffering and exacerbating an already fragile global economy.

At the G20 Summit in Indonesia last year there was a similar difference of opinion regarding the Ukraine war.

India's chairmanship of the G20 has received great support from everywhere, said Indian Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharam after the meeting of the G20 finance ministers.

"Weak countries are waiting for a solution from this summit," Shitaram said as quoted by Antara, Sunday, February 26.

A statement from India's Ministry of Finance said that the minutes and documents resulting from the meeting were a major achievement made by the G20 while being chaired by India.

The meeting itself discussed the global debt crisis, Multilateral Development Bank reforms, the financial climate, the way the world is approaching cryptocurrency issues, public digital infrastructure, financial inclusion, financing future cities and taxation.

The G20 also expressed condolences for the devastating earthquake that hit Turkey and Syria.

The minutes and documents also said that the member states are saddened by the tragic loss of life and destruction in the northeastern region of Turkey due to the catastrophic earthquake on February 6, and conveyed their solidarity with the Turkish people.

The statement also conveyed its condolences to the Syrian people who also suffered from the devastating earthquake.

"We extend our condolences to the bereaved families. We appreciate the humanitarian assistance provided and call on member countries and multilateral institutions to continue to provide all the assistance needed for recovery and development," the G20 finance ministers said.