The attendance of President Putin, US President Joe Biden and other G20 leaders are eagerly awaited. The absence of even one G20 leader could reduce the overall meaning of the summit.
By
KOMPAS EDITOR
·3 minutes read
FX LAKSANA AGUNG SAPUTRA
U.S. President Joe Biden, left, and Russia’s President Vladimir Putin, right, pose for the media at Villa La Grange for the U.S.-Russia summit in Geneva, Switzerland, Wednesday, June 16, 2021.
The Russia-Ukraine war is expected to affect the Group of 20 Summit.
Rumor has it that the United States does not want Russian President Vladimir Putin to attend the G20 Summit, which is slated for 15-16 November in Bali. It was last reported that Indonesia, which holds the G20 presidency, sent official invitations to all member of the G20, including Russia.
It appears that inviting Russian President Vladimir Putin was Indonesia’s way of showing independence. To show that it is not getting thrown about in the midst of a geopolitical conflict between the US and Russia. Ideally, all G20 leaders should attend the summit in Bali.
The attendance of President Putin, US President Joe Biden and other G20 leaders are eagerly awaited. The absence of even one G20 leader could reduce the overall meaning of the summit. The question that now arises is whether Biden and Putin will attend the November summit in Bali.
Moreover, to what extent can the US and Russia maintain the solidity of the G20 by putting aside their differences of opinion and competition regarding Ukraine? It is expected that the G20 summit can be used by Biden and Putin to interact and discuss efforts to end the Ukraine crisis. However, Indonesia as the G20 president must also anticipate the possibility of either not attending the summit.
TURKISH PRESIDENCY VIA AP, POOL
Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan addresses the virtual G20 Leaders’ Summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabiain, in a video conference from his Vahdettin Pavilion, in Istanbul, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2020. Erdogan said Sunday that Turkey sees itself as a part of Europe, but he called on the European Union to “keep your promises” on issues such as the country’s membership bid and refugees.
In general, it is still difficult to measure the complications caused by the Russia-Ukraine war, especially when boycotts are being used as a means of pressure. As a reminder, the US boycotted the 1980 Moscow Olympics as a protest against the Soviet Union’s 1979 invasion of Afghanistan. In response, the Soviet Union boycotted the Los Angeles Olympics in 1984. Many have questioned why sports and cultural affairs were dragged into political issues and the struggle for geopolitical influence.
What are the implications for US allies, who make up about half of the total G20 members?
Now, another question that arises is why the US has involved the G20 summit with the Russia-Ukraine war. Furthermore, if Putin is present, will the US boycott the Bali summit? What are the implications for US allies, who make up about half of the total G20 members?
It is also possible that Putin will not attend due to the war with Ukraine. To what extent will his absence affect his allies at the G20?
It is clear that all of this confusion stemmed from the Russia-Ukraine war. The war, which has been ongoing since 24 Feb. shows no signs of ending. As the saying goes, wars are easy to start but difficult to end. The first attack is always followed by a second attack and so on. It is hoped that the war, which has claimed lives and caused damage, will end soon.
There is still time for the Russia-Ukraine war to end peacefully before the G20 summit in Bali. If the war ends, the road to the summit in November will be clearer.
