You're reading: G20 leaders could discuss anti-Russian sanctions

Moscow - Although anti-Russian sanctions are not on the agenda of the G20 summit in Australia, the issue could be discussed during bilateral meetings between leaders, said Russian Sherpa Svetlana Lukash.

At the same time, the Ukrainian crisis is likely to be discussed as an issue creating additional geopolitical risks and slowing down the development of the world economy, she said.

“These issues are not on the agenda, but they certainly could be discussed during bilateral meetings between the leaders, for which there will be enough time at the summit. But we are not expecting a separate, let alone intense, discussion of these issues,” Lukash told reporters on Nov. 7.

“The Ukrainian crisis could be discussed primarily in light of the general development of the world economy,” she said.

Lukash recalled that the latest forecast by the IMF (International Monetary Fund) describes geopolitical risks, including the Ukrainian crisis, as the main factors which could slow down further development of the global economy.

In particular, such geopolitical risks could impede the efforts to attain the G20 goal of increasing total GDP by a further two percentage points, she said.

“In the context of the assessment given by the IMF, a discussion is possible of the current restrictions as a possible impediment to the attainment of the common goal of an additional increase in GDP. It is also possible that the leaders will want, primarily at a trade session, to discuss the situation relating to restricted access of goods to markets,” she said.

It was not Russia that imposed sanctions and it is still open to dialogue and cooperation with partners, the Russian Sherpa said.