G20: EU supports India on every issue except Ukraine, 'Our thinking about Russia's war is clear from the beginning'

Just before the start of the most important round of the G-20 summit on Saturday, a major member, the European Union (EU), has said that it will fully support whatever effort India makes to reach a consensus in the top meeting. But he is not ready to change his stand on the Ukraine issue.

European Council President Charles Michel, who reached New Delhi to participate in the summit, presented his side in the press conference. The EU, like the US and other European countries, wants that whatever joint declaration is issued, there should be the condemnation of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. On the other side are Russia and China who are not in favor of including the issue. India is trying to create harmony between the two sides.

Charles clearly said that his stand at the summit would be to fully support Ukraine and to raise his voice against countries that attack the sovereignty and integrity of any country. It is the duty of every democratic country to support punitive action against Russia. When he was asked if there could be a consensus on issuing a declaration at this conference, he replied, I do not know whether it is possible or not. But as far as we are concerned, we will stick to our principles. At the same time, we will also support India's efforts. We are not in favor of taking a hard line. We would like India as Chairman to do its best to issue a joint declaration. We want India's effort to succeed, but there is no secrecy about our stand. Our thinking regarding the war that Russia has started against Ukraine has been clear from the beginning.

"We expect that Russia's behavior will be condemned at the G-20 summit because by attacking Ukraine, Russia has turned the entire Black Sea into a war zone," said the President of the European Council. Russia has fired missiles at the food crisis on developing countries. This war will affect not only Ukraine but many other countries as well. He fully supported India's proposal to promote environmental protection and the renewable energy sector. In particular, welcomed India's proposal to triple the world's renewable energy capacity from the current level.

Ever since the attack on Ukraine in February 2022, India has also been adopting restrained diplomacy regarding Russia and Ukraine. On one hand, India talks about stopping all kinds of aggression and removing tension through diplomacy and talks. A day earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reiterated at the ASEAN-India summit that this is not the era of war. Prime Minister Modi had said this directly to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Although India has not yet condemned the Russian aggression.

On the other hand, India is also in touch with Ukraine and is providing assistance to it. Despite pressure from the US and other countries, India has not invited Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to the G-20 meeting.