Putin test for G20 bursts: Lavrov leaves prematurely – ZDF reporter “thrown out immediately” after questioning

Created: 07/10/2022 04:59

By: Michelle Brey

Sergey Lavrov leaves the G20 summit in Bali early.

A journalist is thrown out after asking the Russian foreign minister.

Nusa Dua/Munich - Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov arrived on Friday (July 8) for the G20 foreign ministers' talks, amid a large media crowd.

The escalating conflict in Ukraine marked this appointment: an incident had already occurred when the foreign minister arrived.

A short time later, Lavrov left the hall immediately after his speech.

G20 summit overshadowed by Russia's war in Ukraine

The G20 foreign ministers' meeting is considered extremely sensitive due to Lavrov's participation.

While the EU and the US have imposed sanctions on Russia because of the Ukraine war, G20 countries such as China, India and South Africa are reluctant to condemn the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Lavrov's presence at the talks is also seen as a test for Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin's possible participation in the G20 summit on November 15 and 16, which will be held repeatedly in Bali.

Several states have questioned their participation should Putin attend the summit in person.

G20 summit: ZDF reporter flies out after asking Lavrov about the Ukraine war

Upon his arrival in the seaside resort of Nusa Dua, Lavrov was greeted politely but cautiously by Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi.

The handshake, for example, with Federal Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (Greens) and her counterpart from the USA, Anthony Blinken, was much warmer in comparison.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov is received by Retno Marsudi, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia.

© Britta Pedersen/dpa

When Lavrov was welcomed, two German journalists spoke up.

They called out questions to the Russian foreign minister.

Andreas Kynast, ZDF correspondent, called out to Lavrov: "When do you stop the war" (German: "When do you stop the war?").

As the journalist then announced via Twitter, he was "immediately thrown out by the Indonesian security".

Apparently there were no other restrictions for Kynast at first.

A second German journalist called out to Lavrov: "Why don't you stop the war?"

The foreign minister did not respond.

War in Ukraine: Lavrov leaves G20 summit prematurely – he withdraws from Baerbock speech

Shortly thereafter, Lavrov caused a scandal.

First of all, it was said from delegation circles that the Russian foreign minister apparently left the room immediately after his speech.

He therefore no longer listened to the comments of his critics - and thus also withdrew from Baerbock's reply.

Other sources spoke of an even more explosive time: As the AFP news agency heard from diplomats, Lavrov left the meeting at Baerbock's speech.

At that point, she criticized Russia for its war of aggression in Ukraine.

Baerbock, as acting chair of the G7 group of leading democratic economic powers, was scheduled to be the next speaker after Lavrov.

On Thursday evening she said that in her speech at the G20 summit she would "find very clear words that we do not accept this breach of international law".

According to the politician, the usual "family photo" should not exist.

"Nothing to discuss": Lavrov criticizes Western policy in the Ukraine war

Lavrov then accused the West of preventing the transition to a peaceful solution to the conflict in Ukraine.

If the EU and the US want Ukraine to win on the battlefield, "then we probably have nothing to discuss with the West," he told reporters.

He also accused the West of urging Ukraine around President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to “use its weapons” for the fighting.

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He criticized the fact that the representatives of Western states denounced Russia as an "aggressor" and "occupier" because of the situation in Ukraine.

Russia sees it as part of its right to an independent policy to use military force to assert its interests in Ukraine and criticizes Western sanctions as illegal.

He came to Bali to get an impression "of how the West breathes," said Lavrov.

The spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry previously informed the dpa on request that Lavrov was still conducting "bilateral talks" before he turned to the press and left.

He therefore did not want to attend the official meal or the afternoon session of the G20.

Ukraine war continues - Putin: "Nothing serious started yet"

Meanwhile, Russia's war of aggression in Ukraine continues.

After taking Luhansk, Russian troops attack Donetsk massively.

All information on the military situation in the Ukraine war can be found here.

The Ukraine War in Pictures - Destruction, Resistance and Hope

View photo gallery

Just recently, Putin uttered a sentence that gives rise to fears of far worse things to come.

"Everyone should know that, by and large, we haven't started anything serious yet," the Kremlin chief said.

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