BEIJING: Beijing on Wednesday described Russia as an “important member” of the G20 after Washington raised the prospect of excluding Moscow from the group.
China has provided a level of diplomatic protection to Russia, which is increasingly isolated over its invasion of Ukraine, with its economy tied up by sanctions.
“The G20 is the main forum for international economic cooperation,” Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin (pic) told reporters.
“Russia is an important member, and no member has the right to expel another country.”
Leaders of the two countries declared a relationship of “no limits” following a visit by Russian President Vladimir Putin to Beijing for the Winter Olympics.
Wang’s comments follow a briefing by a top Washington security advisor on Tuesday indicating the US will lead pressure on Russia to be cut from international forums over its invasion of its neighbour.
“On the question of the G20, I will just say this: We believe that it cannot be business as usual for Russia in international institutions and in the international community,” Jake Sullivan White House National Security Advisor said.
Putin plans to attend the G20 Summit later this year in Indonesia, Moscow’s envoy said on Wednesday, dismissing suggestions Russia could be excluded from the group over the war in Ukraine.
A day earlier, the United States indicated it would consult allies over Russia’s membership in international forums to increase pressure over the invasion of Ukraine, which has prompted a refugee crisis in Europe and roiled global markets.
Russian Ambassador to Indonesia Lyudmila Vorobieva said that G20 host Jakarta had invited Putin to the November heads of state summit in Bali.
“It will depend on many things, including the Covid situation that is getting better. But, so far yes, the intention is [for Putin] to come,” she told reporters on Wednesday.
Vorobieva said there have been attempts by western countries to expel Russia from many world organisations, including the Group of 20 major economies, calling it a “disproportionate” reaction.
Russia, she added, appreciates Indonesia’s “firm position”, after Jakarta repeatedly said the forum was for resolving economic situations.
Indonesia, which currently holds the rotating presidency of the G20, has said it will keep the forum focused on the initial objectives, implying it was planning to keep Russia’s invasion of Ukraine largely off the agenda.
“Of course, the expulsion of Russia from this kind of forum will not help these economic problems to be resolved. On the contrary, without Russia, it will be difficult,” said Vorobieva.
“We really hope that the Indonesian government will not give in to the horrible pressure that is being applied to not only Indonesia, but so many countries in the world by the West”. White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan had said Washington would consult with allies about Russia’s G20 membership.
“We believe that it cannot be business as usual for Russia in international institutions and in the international community,” he told a press briefing Tuesday.
Russia was previously indefinitely suspended from the smaller Group of Eight major economies in 2014 over the annexation of Crimea from Ukraine. The grouping was renamed the G7.
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