The prime minister is traveling to Bali for talks with leaders of the world’s biggest economies in his second test on the world stage since taking office less than a month ago, following a quick visit to the COP27 climate talks in Egypt. US President Joe Biden, France’s Emmanuel Macron and China’s Xi Jinping will all be present at the talks on Tuesday and Wednesday. All are expected to meet and confront Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. President Putin will likely skip the meeting despite Russia being a member of the G20, amid condemnation of his war in Ukraine. Mr Sunak warned that this year’s meeting would not be “business as usual” as the world faces the most significant economic challenges since the first G20 meeting in 2008, which was held in response to the financial crisis at the time. The prime minister said he would “invite the Putin regime” in the first meeting between a British prime minister and Russian government officials since the invasion began in February. Ahead of the trip to Indonesia, Mr Sunak’s official spokesman said: “We will use absolutely every opportunity to confront Russia about its continued illegal actions. “We will speak to our allies with one voice on this.” It is likely to be the most awkward G20 meeting ever, as the differences between the world’s 20 major economies are so deep, the traditional “family photo” of all leaders has been canceled because many leaders will not want to be photographed with any of Putin’s regime. . Diplomats have expressed doubts that the leaders will be able to issue a joint communique at the end of the summit, as is usually the case. While most would like to agree to a statement condemning Russia, this will not happen as Russia will have to agree to it. Mr Sunak’s spokesman said whether or not there was an announcement would not affect the UK’s position, adding: “We will ensure that the UK’s position is heard loud and clear throughout the summit and we are confident that we will speak in line with with a wide range of allies.” Image: Rishi Sunak laid a wreath at the Cenotaph on Remembrance Sunday, with former Prime Ministers and Sir Keir Starmer in attendance Mr. Sunak will draw up a five-point financial plan that calls for: • Fellow leaders to direct government support where it is most needed – in their own countries and internationally • An end to the weaponization of food production and distribution, including a call for a renewal of the Black Sea Grains Initiative on 19 November and a G20-level commitment to never use food as a weapon • Strengthen each country’s energy security and reduce energy dependence on Russia by working with partners to unlock the investments needed to accelerate green energy • Opening up global trade, including promoting bilateral free trade agreements and reforming the World Trade Organization to “unleash the opportunities of the 21st century while tackling the manipulation of global markets by malicious actors.” • Honest, reliable financing to help developing countries develop sustainably, ensuring that the international financial system can help these countries develop without becoming dependent on lenders. Read more: Analysis – Sunak’s premiership is about to really begin – he faces a huge week at home and abroad Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player 2:55 Chancellor: “We will ask everyone to make sacrifices” Mr Sunak will meet Biden for the first time, with the pair holding bilateral talks, but the US president’s priority is likely to hold talks with President Xi to set “red lines” as US-China relations remain fraught . The Prime Minister is also scheduled to hold one-on-one meetings with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, Australia’s new Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. After a difficult few months in UK politics, with three prime ministers in two months, Mr Sunak will be keen to use the summit to restore Britain’s reputation for reliability and stability. Click to subscribe to Sky News Daily wherever you get your podcasts The summit will also be an opportunity to influence an international agenda ahead of the chancellor’s autumn statement this Thursday, Mr Sunak’s spokesman said. The Prime Minister said: “Later this week the autumn statement will set out how we will get this country back on track, put the public finances on a solid footing and bring debt down. “Creating a stable international system that protects the most vulnerable will be a key part of this work. “But tackling the biggest financial crisis in a decade will require a concerted effort from the world’s biggest economies – these are not problems we can solve alone. “At the G20, leaders must step up to fix the weaknesses in the international financial system that Putin has been exploiting for years.”
