Russia-Ukraine War: In a virtual address at the G20 Leaders Summit, Russian President Vladimir Putin asserted that Moscow has never declined peace talks with Ukraine, placing blame on Ukraine for exiting the negotiation process.Putin highlighted the tragic toll of military actions and called for collective efforts to halt this humanitarian tragedy.Peace Negotiations and Ukraines Alleged WithdrawalContrary to accusations of ongoing aggression, Putin maintained that Russia has consistently expressed its willingness for peace negotiations with Ukraine. He asserted that Ukraine, not Russia, publicly announced its withdrawal from the negotiation process.Putin underscored the need to address the unfortunate consequences of military actions on people, families, and nations.Global Economic Transformations and Russias RolePutin delved into the transformative shifts in the global economy, emphasising the necessity for collective and consensus decisions that align with the opinions of the international community.He highlighted emerging centres of economic development, particularly in Asian, African, and Latin American regions, where a significant portion of the worlds population resides.Russias Economic Contributions and ChallengesAddressing economic challenges, Putin announced the dispatch of the first shipments of Russian grain to Africa, positioning Russia as a major food exporter. He acknowledged the increasing market turbulence as a consequence of poorly devised macroeconomic policies in certain states.Putin raised concerns about unlawful trade restrictions, climate biases, and acts impacting international commerce, such as the Nord Stream gas pipeline system explosion.Call for Optimisation in Global Economic GovernancePutin called for effective optimisation of the global economic governance system, advocating a restart of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and an enhanced role for developing economies in international financial institutions like the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank.He expressed Russias readiness to collaborate with the G20 and other international bodies, including the expanding BRICS association.Commitment to Global Challenges and Sustainable Development GoalsConcluding his address, Putin reaffirmed Russias commitment to addressing global challenges, including the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), climate preservation, biodiversity conservation, digital transformation, and ensuring food and energy security.He positioned Russia as a willing participant in collaborative efforts towards a balanced and sustainable future.(With ANI Inputs)
