New Delhi/Moscow – In the aftermath of Moscow’s endorsement of the G20 New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration, a document that notably excluded any reference to Russia while advocating for peace in Ukraine, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov hailed the Summit as a resounding success and a pivotal breakthrough in tackling global challenges.
During a press conference, Lavrov praised the nations of the Global South, commending their refusal to accept lectures from others. He characterized the Summit as a turning point and a significant milestone, underscoring the leadership role played by the Global South in shaping the discussions.
Lavrov also noted his involvement in finalizing the declaration, a process shrouded in secrecy, reminiscent of the papal conclave, albeit without the customary smoke signal. He acknowledged the diligent efforts of the Sherpas, particularly Svetlana Lukash, and their respective teams.
Lavrov extended his appreciation to India for its role in countering Western approaches on various matters, including the situation in Ukraine. He attributed the New Delhi Summit to charting a path towards fairness in global governance and finance, expressing gratitude to India for thwarting attempts to politicize the G20. Lavrov suggested that the Western world’s dominance is being contested as new centers of power emerge on the global stage.
In addressing the pressing issue of climate change, Lavrov criticized Western powers for their failure to fulfill their pledge of providing $100 billion annually to support developing countries in dealing with climate change-related challenges.