Russia says it supported G20 call to end conflict in Ukraine because it was appropriately formulated

MOSCOW

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Thursday that Moscow supported a G20 final declaration that called for an end to the conflict in Ukraine because it was appropriately formulated.

Answering an Anadolu correspondent’s question at a Moscow news conference, Zakharova emphasized Russia’s active role in drafting the declaration, with Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov playing a direct role.

“We agreed with the wording and approved it. We welcome all constructive and relevant initiatives contributing to a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace that adheres to the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, fostering peaceful and neighborly relations among nations,” she said.

Lavrov noted earlier that the declaration included a section on global conflicts, despite attempts by Western nations to focus solely on Ukraine.

He said developing countries supported a broader approach, addressing issues like the Middle East, where he attributed the plight of Palestinians to US-backed interventions.

“We and our colleagues from the developing world insisted that the text mention the need to resolve each and every conflict … primarily the conflict in the Middle East. The tragic fate of the Palestinians is largely the result of social engineering and direct interventions in the region by Washington, with the support of its allies,” he said.

Lavrov added that the declaration calls for realistic and honest peace negotiations on Ukraine.

Zakharova criticized the US decision to permit Ukraine to strike Russia with Western-made missiles, accusing the Pentagon of rushing to allocate the remaining military aid before the inauguration of US President-elect Donald Trump.

She alleged that the volume of US military assistance has “magically” grown in recent weeks, hinting at corruption within the Biden administration.

“I have another assumption — it is covering for each other. The Biden family has financial interests in Ukraine of a corrupt nature. I do not exclude that the money that goes to Ukraine in such flows from Washington then settles somewhere in the American accounts of US citizens. And not ordinary citizens, but those who decide to send such amounts of assistance,” she claimed.

US President Joe Biden authorized Ukraine to use Western-made ballistic and cruise missiles on Monday for strikes deep into Russian territory.

• conflict in Ukraine
• G20 declaration
• Joe Biden
• Maria Zakharova
• Sergey Lavrov