Title: G-20 Summit: Absences and Tensions Marked by Key Leaders’ Withdrawals
Chinese President Xi Jinping’s absence from the G-20 Summit raises eyebrows, fueling speculation of a snub aimed at Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and escalating tensions over the shared border. Simultaneously, the United States’ efforts to win India over as a counterbalance to China further intensify the situation.
Xi’s decision to skip the G-20 is not only disappointing for those hoping to discuss the global economy but also raises concerns about the potential impact of a Chinese economic meltdown on the world stage. With significant economic stakes, the absence of the Chinese president leaves a void in critical discussions.
While many vital discussions occur formally during the G-20 Summit, it is the private meetings among heads of state and government that hold the real power. Thus, Xi’s absence deprives attendees of the opportunity to negotiate and secure important deals on various global issues.
In addition to Xi’s absence, Russian President Vladimir Putin’s no-show also raises concerns. G-20 participants will be unable to address Putin directly regarding the ongoing war in Ukraine, as well as its consequences. Although Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will attend as Putin’s representative, his limited political authority within the Russian system may hinder meaningful progress on the Ukraine issue.
Elsewhere, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s presence at the G-20 Summit poses a dilemma due to his poor human rights record. It is expected that US President Joe Biden will seize the occasion to pressure the crown prince towards normalizing diplomatic relations with Israel as part of broader Middle East peace efforts.
Unfortunately, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has not been invited to the G-20 Summit, missing an opportunity to garner support from influential nations beyond Europe and the US. Nevertheless, leaders such as Biden, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, French President Emmanuel Macron, and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak are expected to express their support for Ukraine despite Zelenskyy’s absence.
Understandably, the absence of several key leaders, including Putin, may hinder progress in addressing the Ukrainian conflict within the G-20 summit. Countries facing concerns about food shortages resulting from the conflict may need to explore alternative resolutions outside the ambit of this important gathering.
As the summit unfolds, President Biden is likely to emphasize the superiority and less coercive nature of the American approach to global affairs, positioning it as an alternative to China’s power play. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is expected to play a significant role as a mediator for world leaders at the G-20 Summit, having recently met with Putin to advocate for the restoration of the Black Sea Grain Initiative crucial to countries impacted by the Ukrainian conflict and rising food prices.
In the absence of key leaders and their influence, finding resolutions to critical global issues may prove challenging beyond the scope of the G-20 Summit.
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