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Russian aggression in Ukraine and the impact on global energy and food security will be at the center of the meeting of foreign ministers from the world’s largest countries, which takes place this week in Indonesia.
But instead of offering unity, the talks could deepen divisions over the conflict in Ukraine. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi will attend the Bali meeting. This will be the first time that chief diplomats Blinken and Lavrov will be in the same room since January.
Ukraine will dominate discussions as foreign ministers from the world’s 20 richest countries meet this week in Bali, Indonesia, ahead of the G-20 summit in November. But the American diplomat has no plans to talk with his Russian counterpart to negotiate an end to the conflict in Ukraine.
“I can’t give details, but I certainly don’t expect any meeting between Secretary Blinken and Mr. Lavrov,” said US State Department spokesman Ned Price.
The Kremlin has announced that Russian President Vladimir Putin will attend the November meeting, organized by Indonesia. Even the G-7 leaders have announced their participation.
VOA asked the White House if a negotiated settlement would be possible by November.
“What we have noticed from President Putin is that he has no mind, or no desire to negotiate. Our approach has not changed. We will continue to support Ukraine, we will continue to help Ukraine fight for its democracy and territorial integrity,” said Karine Jean-Pierre, spokeswoman for the White House.
Russia continues to defend its position.
“The special military operation will continue until the completion of the tasks set by the Supreme Commander-in-Chief,” said Sergei Shoigu, the Russian Defense Minister.
Ukraine continues to stand firm.
“We have no other alternative – it’s about our independence, about the future and the destiny of the entire Ukrainian nation,” said President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
That determination, says analyst Mark Cancian, foreshadows a long conflict. It’s more complicated, he says, because Russia has something that interests Washington. It’s been four months since Russian authorities detained American basketball player Brittney Griner on drug charges. The United States says she was wrongfully detained.
“There are always American citizens being held by foreign governments. Most of them do not attract much attention because they are routine violations of local laws. Some of them attract a lot of attention, like the basketball player Griner. Eventually there will be an agreement. Increasing attention also increases the price. In other words, Russia will benefit more in exchange for her release,” Mark Cancian, an analyst with the Center for Strategic and International Studies, told VOA.
After four months of fighting, tens of thousands of lives lost, millions of civilians displaced, several high-level meetings and ongoing diplomacy, the conflict in Ukraine demonstrates a fundamental truth: war is hard, but achieving peace can be even harder. difficult.
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