Delegates convene during the second day of the G20 finance ministers and central bank governors meeting in Jakarta, Indonesia, on February 18. AP
Delegates convene during the second day of the G20 finance ministers and central bank governors meeting in Jakarta, Indonesia, on February 18. AP
Delegates convene during the second day of the G20 finance ministers and central bank governors meeting in Jakarta, Indonesia, on February 18. AP
Delegates convene during the second day of the G20 finance ministers and central bank governors meeting in Jakarta, Indonesia, on February 18. AP

World

G20 leaders reconsider Russia's status

It is unlikely Moscow will face an outright ban, sources say

Soraya Ebrahimi
Soraya Ebrahimi

March 22, 2022

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Live updates: follow the latest news on Russia-Ukraine

The US and its western allies are assessing whether Russia should remain in the Group of 20 major economies after its invasion of Ukraine, sources involved in the discussions told Reuters on Tuesday.

The likelihood that any bid to exclude Russia would be vetoed by others in the G20 — which includes China and India — raised the prospect of some countries skipping meetings this year, the sources said.

The G20 and the Group of Seven — consisting of the US, France, Germany, Italy, Canada, Japan and Britain — are key international platforms for co-ordinating on matters ranging from climate change action to cross-border debt.

Russia is facing many international sanctions led by western nations aiming to isolate it from the global economy, including shutting it out of the Swift global bank payment system and restricting dealings by its central bank.

"There have been discussions about whether it’s appropriate for Russia to be part of the G20," said a senior G7 source. "If Russia remains a member, it will become a less useful organisation."

US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said President Joe Biden would consult with allies in Brussels this week before any move to push Russia out of the G20.

"We believe that it cannot be business as usual for Russia in international institutions and in the international community," Mr Sullivan said.

A firefighter works at a residential district that was damaged by shelling, as Russia's invasion of Ukraine continues, in Kyiv, Ukraine. Reuters
A firefighter works at a residential district that was damaged by shelling, as Russia's invasion of Ukraine continues, in Kyiv, Ukraine. Reuters
A woman removes pieces of broken glass from a shop window after a bombing in Kyiv, Ukraine. AP
A woman removes pieces of broken glass from a shop window after a bombing in Kyiv, Ukraine. AP
Residents clean the street outside apartments damaged by shelling, in Kyiv, Ukraine. AP
Residents clean the street outside apartments damaged by shelling, in Kyiv, Ukraine. AP
A man walks at a residential district that was damaged by shelling, as Russia's invasion of Ukraine continues, in Kyiv, Ukraine. Reuters
A man walks at a residential district that was damaged by shelling, as Russia's invasion of Ukraine continues, in Kyiv, Ukraine. Reuters
Rescuers work at the site of buildings damaged by shelling, as Russia's invasion of Ukraine continues, in Mykolaiv, Ukraine. Reuters
Rescuers work at the site of buildings damaged by shelling, as Russia's invasion of Ukraine continues, in Mykolaiv, Ukraine. Reuters
Launch of missiles by the coastal missile system 'Bastion' on infrastructure facilities of the Armed Forces of Ukraine from an undisclosed position in Crimea. As a result of a strike with long-range precision weapons, an arsenal with weapons and military equipment of Ukrainian troops in the village of Orzhev, 14 kilometres north-west of the city of Rivne, two Tochka-U launchers near Kiev, and eight anti-aircraft missile systems were destroyed. EPA
Launch of missiles by the coastal missile system 'Bastion' on infrastructure facilities of the Armed Forces of Ukraine from an undisclosed position in Crimea. As a result of a strike with long-range precision weapons, an arsenal with weapons and military equipment of Ukrainian troops in the village of Orzhev, 14 kilometres north-west of the city of Rivne, two Tochka-U launchers near Kiev, and eight anti-aircraft missile systems were destroyed. EPA
Pictures lie amidst the rubble of former teacher Natalia's house which was was hit in a military strike, amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine. Reuters
Pictures lie amidst the rubble of former teacher Natalia's house which was was hit in a military strike, amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine. Reuters
A Ukrainian serviceman rests at his position in Kharkiv, Ukraine. AP
A Ukrainian serviceman rests at his position in Kharkiv, Ukraine. AP
A hug for a child at the railway station in Przemysl, near the Polish-Ukrainian border, as Ukrainian refugees make their way out of the war zone. AFP
A hug for a child at the railway station in Przemysl, near the Polish-Ukrainian border, as Ukrainian refugees make their way out of the war zone. AFP
Displaced Ukrainians on a Poland-bound train bid farewell at Lviv, western Ukraine. AP
Displaced Ukrainians on a Poland-bound train bid farewell at Lviv, western Ukraine. AP
Ukrainian servicemen rest in Kharkiv. AP
Ukrainian servicemen rest in Kharkiv. AP
A car wrecked and burnt by shelling in a street in Kharkiv, Ukraine. AP
A car wrecked and burnt by shelling in a street in Kharkiv, Ukraine. AP
A member of pro-Russian unit in uniform without insignia handles a mortar round at a weapons depot near Marinka, in the Donetsk region of Ukraine. Reuters
A member of pro-Russian unit in uniform without insignia handles a mortar round at a weapons depot near Marinka, in the Donetsk region of Ukraine. Reuters
The aftermath of shelling in the eastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv. EPA
The aftermath of shelling in the eastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv. EPA
Nurses in tears after Russian shelling of a psychiatric hospital in Mykolaiv, southern Ukraine. AFP
Nurses in tears after Russian shelling of a psychiatric hospital in Mykolaiv, southern Ukraine. AFP
Candles and lights form a giant peace sign during the Avaaz vigil in front of the European Council and Commission buildings in Brussels, Belgium. AP
Candles and lights form a giant peace sign during the Avaaz vigil in front of the European Council and Commission buildings in Brussels, Belgium. AP
A wrecked car in a ruined street in Kharkiv, Ukraine. AP
A wrecked car in a ruined street in Kharkiv, Ukraine. AP
Rescue workers at an industrial building damaged by an air strike in Kyiv, Ukraine. Reuters
Rescue workers at an industrial building damaged by an air strike in Kyiv, Ukraine. Reuters
The monument to the Duke of Richelieu, one of the founders of the city of Odesa, is covered by sand bags. Near by, a placard shows the building before the Russian invasion. EPA
The monument to the Duke of Richelieu, one of the founders of the city of Odesa, is covered by sand bags. Near by, a placard shows the building before the Russian invasion. EPA
People clean up a room in an apartment building in Kyiv destroyed in an air raid, as Russia presses on with its invasion of Ukraine. Reuters
People clean up a room in an apartment building in Kyiv destroyed in an air raid, as Russia presses on with its invasion of Ukraine. Reuters
An instructor shows citizens how to fire the weapon during a shooting training session in Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine. Reuters
An instructor shows citizens how to fire the weapon during a shooting training session in Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine. Reuters
Russian troops hurl stun grenades at demonstrators protesting against the invasion, in Kherson, Ukraine. Reuters
Russian troops hurl stun grenades at demonstrators protesting against the invasion, in Kherson, Ukraine. Reuters
Ukrainian servicemen stand guard at a military checkpoint in Kyiv. AFP
Ukrainian servicemen stand guard at a military checkpoint in Kyiv. AFP
Ukrainian refugees Sasha Alexandra and Olena embrace shortly before being allowed to cross into the United States to seek asylum in Tijuana, Mexico. They fled their city of Dnipro this month and travelled to Germany before flying to Mexico. AFP
Ukrainian refugees Sasha Alexandra and Olena embrace shortly before being allowed to cross into the United States to seek asylum in Tijuana, Mexico. They fled their city of Dnipro this month and travelled to Germany before flying to Mexico. AFP
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in a broadcast speech in Kyiv, calling on citizens to 'drive the occupiers out'. EPA
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in a broadcast speech in Kyiv, calling on citizens to 'drive the occupiers out'. EPA
An unexploded rocket in a cemetery in Mykolaiv, southern Ukraine. AFP
An unexploded rocket in a cemetery in Mykolaiv, southern Ukraine. AFP
A portrait of a young woman who died during a Russian attack, next to her fresh grave in the Mykolaiv cemetery. AFP
A portrait of a young woman who died during a Russian attack, next to her fresh grave in the Mykolaiv cemetery. AFP
Tents set up for Ukrainian refugees inside a train station in Bucharest, Romania. AFP
Tents set up for Ukrainian refugees inside a train station in Bucharest, Romania. AFP
Workers cover a sculpture outside the home of Lviv National Opera to protect it from damage amid fighting in Ukraine. Reuters
Workers cover a sculpture outside the home of Lviv National Opera to protect it from damage amid fighting in Ukraine. Reuters
Olena, the mother of Denys Snihur, a 25-year-old soldier killed by Russian shelling in the northern town of Ovruch, mourns him at his funeral in Lviv. Reuters
Olena, the mother of Denys Snihur, a 25-year-old soldier killed by Russian shelling in the northern town of Ovruch, mourns him at his funeral in Lviv. Reuters
All that is left of a shopping centre after shelling in Kyiv. AP
All that is left of a shopping centre after shelling in Kyiv. AP
Civilian volunteers attend a Ukrainian Territorial Defence Forces training camp in Brovary, north-east of Kyiv. AP
Civilian volunteers attend a Ukrainian Territorial Defence Forces training camp in Brovary, north-east of Kyiv. AP
Refugees at a temporary accommodation centre in a school gymnasium in Taganrog, Russia. EPA
Refugees at a temporary accommodation centre in a school gymnasium in Taganrog, Russia. EPA
Oil storage tanks burn in Chernihiv, Ukraine, in a satellite image from Maxar Technologies. EPA
Oil storage tanks burn in Chernihiv, Ukraine, in a satellite image from Maxar Technologies. EPA
President Joe Biden discusses the US response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine at the Business Roundtable CEO Quarterly Meeting. EPA
President Joe Biden discusses the US response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine at the Business Roundtable CEO Quarterly Meeting. EPA
The wreck of a Russian military vehicle near Kharkiv. EPA
The wreck of a Russian military vehicle near Kharkiv. EPA
Firefighters work at the site of a shopping centre bombing in Kyiv. Reuters
Firefighters work at the site of a shopping centre bombing in Kyiv. Reuters
Seven-year-old Amellia Anisovych, a refugee from Ukraine, sings the Ukraine national anthem at the start of a fund-raising concert in Lodz, Poland. Amellia became known for singing a song from the film 'Frozen' in a bomb shelter in Kyiv. AP
Seven-year-old Amellia Anisovych, a refugee from Ukraine, sings the Ukraine national anthem at the start of a fund-raising concert in Lodz, Poland. Amellia became known for singing a song from the film 'Frozen' in a bomb shelter in Kyiv. AP
People queue at the National Stadium in Warsaw to apply for ID numbers that will entitle them to work and receive free health care and education in Poland. AP
People queue at the National Stadium in Warsaw to apply for ID numbers that will entitle them to work and receive free health care and education in Poland. AP
Checkout tills are damaged at a supermarket in a shopping centre that was damaged in a bombing in Kyiv. Reuters
Checkout tills are damaged at a supermarket in a shopping centre that was damaged in a bombing in Kyiv. Reuters
Cars are damaged at the site of a bombing at a shopping center in Kyiv. Reuters
Cars are damaged at the site of a bombing at a shopping center in Kyiv. Reuters
A woman comforts a boy while refugees wait for Ukrainian police to check their papers and belongings in Brovary, Ukraine. AP
A woman comforts a boy while refugees wait for Ukrainian police to check their papers and belongings in Brovary, Ukraine. AP
A refugee family sit in front of a tent at a temporary shelter offered by the Free Christian Church in Uszka, Hungary. Getty Images
A refugee family sit in front of a tent at a temporary shelter offered by the Free Christian Church in Uszka, Hungary. Getty Images
Firefighters carry a ladder across the debris following Russian shellings that destroyed the Retroville shopping mall in Kyiv. AFP
Firefighters carry a ladder across the debris following Russian shellings that destroyed the Retroville shopping mall in Kyiv. AFP
A rescuer inside a shopping mall damaged by an airstrike in Kyiv. Reuters
A rescuer inside a shopping mall damaged by an airstrike in Kyiv. Reuters

A EU source confirmed the discussions about Russia's status at future meetings of the G20, the rotating chair of which is held by Indonesia.

"It has been made very clear to Indonesia that Russia’s presence at forthcoming ministerial meetings would be highly problematic for European countries," said the source.

But they said there was no clear process for excluding a country.

The G7 was expanded to a new "G8" format including Russia during a period of warmer ties in the early 2000s. But Moscow was indefinitely suspended from that club after its annexation of Crimea in 2014.

Earlier on Tuesday, Poland said it had suggested to US commerce officials that it replace Russia within the G20 group and that the suggestion had received a "positive response".

A US Commerce Department representative said a "good meeting" was held last week between Polish Economic Development and Technology Minister Piotr Nowak and US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo.

"She welcomed hearing Poland’s views on a number of topics, including the operation of the G20, but did not express a position on behalf of the US government with respect to the Polish G20 proposal,” the representative said.

The G7 source said it was considered unlikely that Indonesia or members such as India, Brazil, South Africa and China would agree to remove Russia from the group.

If G7 countries were to skip this year’s G20 meetings, that could be a powerful signal to India, the source said.

It has drawn the ire of some western nations over its failure to condemn the Russian invasion and support measures against Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Russia's status at other multilateral agencies is also being questioned.

In Geneva, World Trade Organisation officials said delegations there were refusing to meet Russian groups in various formats.

"Many governments have raised objections to what is happening there and these objections have manifested themselves in a lack of engagement with the member concerned," WTO spokesman Keith Rockwell said.

One source from a western country said those not engaging with Russia at the WTO included the EU, the US, Canada and Britain. No confirmation from those delegations was immediately available.

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Install an air filter in your home.

Close your windows and turn on the AC.

Shower or bath after being outside.

Wear a face mask.

Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.

If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.

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