The G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro opened with heated discussions on global conflicts, as President Biden urged support for Ukraine and a ceasefire in the Middle East, while Xi Jinping warned of a turbulent era. Brazil’s President Lula sought to refocus on issues affecting the marginalized, but current events dominated. Leaders grappled with reconciling differences for a unified declaration amidst challenges related to warfare and climate change, and Argentina’s uncertain stance highlighted tensions within the group.
The G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro kicked off on a contentious note, with discussions centering around global conflicts. U.S. President Joe Biden urged G20 nations to rally behind Ukraine and pursue a ceasefire in the Middle East. In stark contrast, Chinese leader Xi Jinping cautioned about an impending era of ‘turbulence’, all while the political landscape shifts with Donald Trump’s anticipated return.
Brazil’s leftist President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who is presiding over this year’s G20, aimed to redirect the conversation towards pressing issues facing the impoverished and marginalized. However, the weight of current events quickly overshadowed his intentions.
During the opening session of this two-day summit, President Biden passionately advocated for the support of Ukraine’s sovereignty from the G20 stage.
“The United States firmly backs Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. It is essential for every nation here to do the same,” he declared emphatically.
These statements carry significant weight, especially following the U.S. authorization for Ukraine to utilize long-range missiles against Russia just the day before.
When questioned by British reporters about London’s stance, Prime Minister Keir Starmer refrained from delving into specific operational details, stating, “Discussing these matters in depth would only benefit Vladimir Putin.”
Notably absent from the summit is Russian President Vladimir Putin, who chose to send his Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in his stead.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz reiterated his stance against supplying Ukraine with long-range Taurus missiles, highlighting that such arms would necessitate responsibility for targeting.
Biden also called for the G20 to exert pressure on Hamas to achieve a ceasefire with Israel, affirming his commitment to pursue a resolution before his term concludes.
This summit marks one of Biden’s final significant appearances on the global stage before he hands over the presidency to Trump, a vocal critic of multilateralism.
During a meeting with Prime Minister Starmer, Xi Jinping warned, “The world is entering a new phase of turbulence and transformation.” His assertive presence at the summit contrasts with Biden, who is nearing the end of his administration.
Navigating Differences Among Leaders
The G20 leaders face the challenge of reconciling their differences to craft a unified final declaration—if such a consensus can be reached at all.
According to a Brazilian Foreign Ministry source, “For Brazil and other nations, the declaration is essentially complete, but several countries are eager to revisit discussions on topics like warfare and climate change.”
A German government insider acknowledged the complexities: “Debates surrounding Ukraine and the Middle East are particularly challenging. We will see how much we can achieve in the communiqué; it will be a test.”
The G20, which includes 19 countries along with the European Union and the African Union, accounts for 85% of global GDP and 80% of greenhouse gas emissions, placing significant emphasis on climate discussions.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged G20 nations on Sunday to embrace their leadership roles and reach ‘compromises’ to break the deadlock at COP29, the ongoing climate conference in Baku.
An additional layer of uncertainty looms over the summit, particularly regarding the stance of Argentina’s President Javier Milei, an ultraliberal and climate skeptic allied with Trump.
Initially, Buenos Aires expressed reservations and suggested it might not endorse the final text, as stated by Argentine delegation head Federico Pinedo. However, a Brazilian diplomatic source downplayed these concerns.
On Monday, Argentina made headlines as the only G20 nation absent from the list of 81 countries participating in the Global Alliance against Hunger and Poverty, a coalition launched by Lula aimed at mobilizing resources and replicating successful local initiatives.
Later in the day, Argentina reversed its decision and joined the Alliance, underscoring the tense relationship between Milei and Lula. Their brief and chilly handshake before the summit conveyed a clear message of discord.