BALI:As Western nations criticised Moscow for its invasion of Ukraine, Russia's top diplomat stormed out of Friday's G20 meeting in Indonesia.
Prior to the meeting, Washington and its allies denounced Russia's offensive, and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken described the closed-door discussions as a "barrage of Western criticism" for Sergei Lavrov. On the tourist island of Bali, Blinken told reporters, "What we've heard today is a strong chorus from around the world about the need for the aggression to end. In their first meeting since the start of the war, Blinken and Lavrov joined colleagues for a full day of discussions. The host informed them right away that negotiations were the only way to put an end to the conflict.
However, Lavrov left a morning meeting when his German counterpart Annalena Baerbock criticised Moscow for its invasion, according to diplomats.
Additionally, he left a session in the afternoon before Dmytro Kuleba, the foreign minister of Ukraine, virtually addressed the ministers and was not present when Blinken denounced Russia.
Lavrov told reporters outside the Mulia hotel, "Our Western partners are trying to avoid talking about global economic issues.
"They immediately launch into hysterical criticism of Russia as soon as they speak.
Instead of meeting with Lavrov, Blinken accused Moscow of starting a world food crisis and pleaded with Moscow to permit grain shipments out of Ukraine. The Ukraine is not your country, my Russian colleagues. Your grain is not in it.
Why are the ports being blocked? According to a Western official present, Blinken said during the behind-closed-door discussions, "You should let the grain out." Lavrov previously told reporters he wouldn't "go running" for talks after Washington.
