‘Now is the time’ to end Russia’s war, Ukrainian’s Zelensky tells G20 leaders

Following Russia’s defeat in the southern city of Kherson, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky encouraged foreign leaders to support a proposal to end the war in his nation, claiming that “now was the time” to strive for peace.

He addressed G20 leaders via videolink as they convened on the Indonesian island of Bali for a conference that is overshadowed by the conflict in Ukraine and concerns about global inflation, food and energy security.

Zelensky said Ukraine would not allow Russian forces to regroup after their withdrawal from Kherson, adding that there would be more fighting until Ukraine reclaimed control of all of its occupied territory.

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He stated that Kyiv will not jeopardise Ukraine’s sovereignty, territory, or independence, and he also demanded the release of all Ukrainian prisoners.

Ukrainian forces have made recent progress against Russian troops in the east and south, recapturing Kherson last week, the only regional capital Russia had held since the February invasion.

Zelenskyy called on the G20 leaders at their summit, including US President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping, to adopt a 10-point peace formula and end the war “justly and on the basis of the UN Charter and international law”.

It was not immediately known if Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, who headed the Russian delegation to the summit, remained in the room while the Ukrainian leader was speaking.

Zelensky also called for “radiation safety” around the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, where fighting has been taking place, to be restored.

The G20 was informed by British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak that the actions of Putin’s government will be met with a chorus of international criticism. He warned during the Bali meeting that “Russia’s actions put all of us at risk.”

He also announced a long-anticipated purchase from BAE Systems of warships for Ukraine valued at £4.2 billion (€4.79 billion).

French President Emmanuel Macron called on his Chinese counterpart to unite with France against the war in Ukraine. Speaking at the start of a bilateral meeting at the G20, he stressed that the “stability” of the world was also in China’s “interest”.