Obama Puts G-20 Focus on Russia, Climate
Last updated on: November 15, 2014 4:58 PM
BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA—
Russia is turning out to be a major focus for President Barack Obama at the G-20 summit in Brisbane.
The U.S. leader is consulting with his European counterparts on the sidelines about a response to evidence that Russia is sending troops and equipment into Ukraine in violation of a September cease-fire agreement.
After joining leaders of the 20 major economies for lunch Saturday, Obama went to the University of Queensland, where he got a rock-star welcome ahead of what White House officials described as a major foreign policy speech.
He said the United States maintains its leadership role in the Asia-Pacific region and — as the world’s only superpower — has a unique responsibility that it gladly embraces. He mentioned Russia.
'Threat to the world'
"We're leading the international community in the fight to destroy the terrorist group ISIL, we're leading in dealing with Ebola in West Africa and in opposing Russia's aggression against Ukraine — which is a threat to the world, as we saw in the appalling shoot-down of MH17," said Obama.
Twenty-seven Australians were among 298 people killed when Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 was shot down in July over an area of Ukraine controlled by pro-Russian separatists.
Russian state-run television aired photos Saturday showing what it said was proof that a Ukrainian fighter jet shot down the Malaysia Airlines jet. Ukrainian sources said the photos were forged.
Obama was not the only world leader who voiced criticism of reported Russian activities in Ukraine.
Before meeting with Putin, British Prime Minister David Cameron warned that the West could impose more sanctions on Russia. German Chancellor Angela Merkel said events Ukraine were hindering efforts to grow the world economy. And Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper agreed to shake Putin's hand, but bluntly told him to "get out of Ukraine."
Chinese claims
In his speech, Obama also alluded to China's maritime claims that have caused Vietnam, the Philippines and other nations to feel insecure.
"We believe that nations and peoples have the right to live in security and peace," said Obama. "That an effective security order for Asia must be based not on spheres of influence, or coercion, or intimidation — where big nations bully the small — but on alliances of mutual security, international law, international norms that are upheld and the peaceful resolution of disputes."
While trade and economic issues are the central purpose of the G-20 summit, Obama also put the focus on climate change. On Saturday, he announced the U.S. is contributing $3 billion to the Green Climate Fund to help developing nations address climate change.
The G-20 on Saturday issued a statement on Ebola, committing to do what is necessary to "extinguish the outbreak." The group called on governments that have not yet done so to make financial contributions to fighting the disease. voa
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