zelensky ukrainian peace lavrov g20 long distance confrontation

The war in Ukraine is among the topics of the ongoing G20 world summit in Bali, Indonesia. In a video intervention from kyiv, the Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky, attacked Russia and then, via social networks, listed peace proposals. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov listened to him in the audience.

On Tuesday, November 15, Zelensky denounced Russia’s senseless nuclear weapons threats before G20 leaders meeting in Bali. He stressed that “there can be no excuse for nuclear blackmail”. In his speech, however, he addresses the leaders of the G19, with an ostentatious exclusion of Russia, present in Bali with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sergei Lavrov. The latter was listening to Zelensky. “There is a Ukrainian formula for peace,” the Kyiv president later wrote on Telegram. “Peace for Ukraine, Europe and the world. And there are a number of solutions that can be implemented to really ensure that. After attending the G20 summit, I presented such concrete and honest proposals for solutions. Ukraine offers the great states of the world to be co-creators of peace with us. »

In the social message, Zelensky listed 10 “proposals” from Ukraine “1 radiation and nuclear safety; 2 food security; 3 energy security. 4 release of all prisoners and deportees; 5 implementation of the United Nations Charter and restoration of the territorial integrity of Ukraine and the world order. 6 withdrawal of Russian troops and cessation of hostilities; 7 return of justice; 8 unlike ecocide. 9 prevent escalation; 10 to fix the end of the war.”

Peace in Ukraine, the Russian reaction

Russia’s response was swift. The proposals that Volodymyr Zelensky presented at the G20 summit for peace in Ukraine are “unrealistic and inadequate”, said Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. For him, Zelensky’s speech at the G20 shows that the Ukrainian president “does not listen to any advice from the West on the negotiations”. Russia wants to see “hard facts, not words” on Western influence on Zelensky to agree to negotiate. Not only. According to Lavrov, Western countries “tried in every way to politicize” the final declaration of the G20 summit. The West would in practice seek to impose language that “would imply condemnation of Russia’s actions by the entire G20, including us.” For Lavrov, however, “despite US statements at the G20, other countries remain convinced that the conflict in Ukraine was caused by Washington”.

Matilda Bogner, head of the United Nations Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine. Photo Twitter @ONUGenève

The UN and war

The war in Ukraine, meanwhile, does not stop even for a moment. We are now nearly 9 months away from unremitting conflict. On November 15, a UN appeal came in on prisoners from both sides. Many prisoners held by Russians or Ukrainians suffer torture, mistreatment and humiliation, Matilda Bogner, head of the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission, told reporters. Ukraine and the Russian Federation are both parties to the Third Geneva Convention which sets out requirements for the treatment of prisoners of war. For this, Bogner recalled the fundamental obligation of a State to always treat all prisoners of war with humanity. This does not happen in Ukraine in many cases.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. Photo Ansa / Epa Sonny Tumbelaka