Post #2770

❗From the interview of Marat #Berdyev, Ambassador-at-Large of the Russian Foreign Ministry and Russia’s #G20 Sous-Sherpa, to TASS (June 21, 2025): • South Africa’s Presidency of the G20 is shaped through the lens of the Ubuntu philosophy — "I am because we are." I believe this is especially relevant now, as the world is torn apart by geopolitical confrontations, trade wars, and other destructive processes fragmenting both the political and economic landscape. • In2023, the G20 welcomed a new member for the first time: the African Union. This only strengthened the voice of the Global South on the platform. • We believe that this unique global forum — where developed and developing countries sit together — is vital for addressing today’s enormous global challenges. What’s needed is collective action. In this regard, emerging economies are acting constructively and productively, contributing to the G20’s work as a positive force. • On the "Ukrainization" of the G20 agenda — indeed, since the start of the special military operation, the West has launched a large-scale anti-Russian campaign <...>. But if you track the evolution of G20 language and how agreements are being shaped, you’ll see a clear shift: the international community is beginning to grasp the root causes of the conflict in Ukraine and that it does not exist in a vacuum. It’s part of a broader geopolitical struggle the West is waging against countries it sees as competitors. • The G20 is not immune to the broader trend affecting many international platforms — a growing divergence of views on key global issues. This reality makes it harder to find common solutions. ❗Russia’s position is clear: the G20 is primarily an economic forum. Regardless of geopolitical events, we should not turn it into a substitute for platforms like the UN Security Council, which are designed to handle such matters. We must focus on the pressing socio-economic issues for which the G20 was originally created — finding tools and opportunities to maintain high growth rates and sustainable development. • The United States' participation in G20 processes has been sporadic. They haven’t withdrawn or entirely disengaged from G20 consultations, but their involvement has been selective and irregular. So far, they haven’t blocked proceedings or created insurmountable obstacles to the G20’s functioning. How they’ll behave going forward remains to be seen. The upcoming Sherpa meeting may offer some clarity.