The President of the European Commission is in favor of Western participation in the next G20 summit in November in Indonesia, despite the probable presence of the Russian President and the war in Ukraine.
“I think it is better for him (Vladimir Putin) to say to his face, if he comes, what we think, and that he takes a stand,” Ursula von der Leyen told German television channel ZDF on Sunday evening. .
She was questioned about the idea of a boycott by the Western countries of the G20 and spoke on the sidelines of the G7 which is currently taking place in Germany.
“The G20 is too important for developing countries, emerging countries, for us to let Putin destroy it,” added Ms. von der Leyen.
“One thing is very clear, there will be no” business as usual “, that is to say normality “, in the relationship with Mr. Putin, hammered the European leader.
Indonesia, currently chair of the G20, is to host the summit in Bali in November.
The country has been under heavy pressure from the West, led by the United States, to exclude Russia due to the invasion of Ukraine.
But Jakarta resisted, arguing that its position as host required it to remain “impartial”, according to its president Joko Widodo, who also invited the Ukrainian president, Mr. Zelensky.
If Western heads of state travel to Bali, it would be their first physical meeting with the Russian president since Moscow invaded Ukraine.
“We must discuss together (with the Member States of the EU)”, on the subject however affirmed Ms. von der Leyen.
Also questioned on the question Monday morning, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, whose country is currently president of the G7, also opened the door to participation in the G20, even if Mr. Putin is present there.
“The world can still change significantly by then, but it is very clear that the G20 plays an important role,” he told the ZDF channel.
“All the states (of the G7) agree on this point”, added the leader, ensuring that he had “a common conviction of not wanting to torpedo the G20”.
“We will have to make the decision just before the trip,” he warned, however.
A meeting of G20 foreign ministers is already scheduled for July 7 and 8 and Moscow could already participate.
