Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Tuesday that Western countries had tried to "politicize" a joint declaration at the Group of 20 (G20) summit, accusing them of pushing to include a line condemning Russia's invasion of Ukraine on behalf of all participating countries.

 

A draft declaration by leaders of the G20, seen by Reuters on Tuesday, said "most" members strongly condemned the war in Ukraine, highlighting Russia's strong opposition to any language seen to criticize its actions.

 

 

"Yes, our Western colleagues tried in every way to make that declaration politicized and tried to push through language that implied condemning the actions of the Russian Federation on behalf of the entire G20, which includes us," Lavrov said.

 

 

He also said that Ukraine's conditions for restarting talks with Moscow were "unrealistic".

 

 

"All problems are with the Ukrainian side, which is categorically refusing negotiations and putting forward conditions that are obviously unrealistic," Lavrov told reporters.

 

 

He said he had put forward that position during a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron and that he had explained Russia's position during talks with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.