G7 no longer dominates G20, Russia’s sherpa says

Russia’s G20 sherpa Svetlana Lukash
©Artyom Geodakyan/TASS

The adoption of the outcome declaration during the G20 Bali summit indicated that the G7 no longer dominates this association, Russia’s G20 sherpa Svetlana Lukash said in an interview for Vedomosti.

"The G7 is, of course, more consolidated (compared to other G20 states - TASS). They gather in advance and make some joint decision like the one how they intend to ignore someone. But they fail, and the declaration shows once again, by the way, that their voice no longer dominates the G20," Lukash said.

According to the sherpa, the main issues that required consensus for the outcome declaration to be adopted were the situation in Ukraine and the grain deal agreements.

"Those were the two key elements and, at the end of the day, the two key victories by Russia and developing economies," the Sherpa said.

She underscored that the adopted language fully complies with Russia’s interests and "do not allow the voice of the West to dominate."

"Throughout this entire year, the West sought to prove that Russia and its special military operation are to blame for all ongoing crises on food and energy markets. The declaration’s text proves the opposite, though," Lukash underscored.

The Sherpa noted that that the countries have already expressed their positions on the situation in Ukraine, including in the UN Security Council and the UN General Assembly, which "made it possible to avoid making specific assessments of the Ukrainian conflict by the G20 itself.

"Meanwhile, it was "cemented that there is no dominance of the Western concept, which accuses Russia of all negative processes."

The document does contain "condemnation, but not of Russia, but the war itself," the official said. Lukash noted that the Bali declaration "acknowledges the existence of different opinions both regarding the conflict in Ukraine and regarding the role of sanctions."

But, I believe, the G20 has managed to completely balance the language in the interests of the emerging economies as well.

This year’s declaration is different in that the voice of the G7 no longer dominates, ”she said in an interview with RIA Novosti.

According to Lukash, Russia, together with its BRICS colleagues and other friendly countries, has managed to achieve a balance on all topics.

“Gradually, slowly, but the balance of power is changing.

Maybe it would be possible to somehow do this business faster, preferably, but at least, even though this is happening, it’s already good, ”she added.

Earlier it was reported that at the G20 summit, in bilateral contacts through the Ministry of Finance, they discussed the transition to settlements in national currencies.

Press Secretary of the Russian President Dmitry Peskov said that Russia is satisfied with the wording of the final declaration of the G20 summit in Indonesia.