PM Rishi Sunak holds talks with several world leaders at the G20 summit

Image by Simon Walker/No 10 Downing Street

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak met several world leaders including US President Joe Biden at the G20 Summit in Bali, Indonesia this week.

On Tuesday, 15 November, the leaders agreed on the national and international importance of the strong UK-US relationship, particularly given the challenging economic times the world is currently facing.

They talked about the actions of Russian President Vladimir Putin and his regime, which are directly responsible for precipitating global economic issues including rising inflation. Maintaining international pressure to ensure Putin fails in Ukraine is in everyone’s interest, they agreed.

The leaders agreed to work together, and with allies, to address the economic consequences of Putin’s brutality. This includes action to protect the most vulnerable in our countries and around the world, and efforts to secure our long-term energy supply.

They stressed the importance of likeminded allies providing a counterpoint to authoritarian regimes, including ensuring developing countries can grow in a sustainable way.

Sunak and Biden both agreed on the importance of sustained engagement in the Indo-Pacific region and pointed to the AUKUS pact as an example of that. The Prime Minister outlined the UK’s Indo-Pacific priorities, including joining the CPTPP trade bloc.

Image by GOV.UK

The leaders looked forward to working together to take forward cooperation between the UK and the US on areas including trade, defence and upholding the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement.

Sunak also joined Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and spoke to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy from the G20 on Wednesday, 16 November.

They expressed their condolences for the terrible loss of life as a result of Russian attacks on Ukraine overnight.

Both the leaders underscored their enduring support for Ukraine’s resistance and updated Zelenskyy on their discussions at the G20 on this issue.

Sunak and Trudeau emphasised the importance of a full investigation into the circumstances behind missiles falling in Poland on Tuesday, 15 November. They stressed that whatever the outcome of that investigation, Putin’s invasion of Ukraine is squarely to blame for the ongoing violence.

President Zelenskyy thanked both of them for their support.