A Western-led push to condemn Russia's invasion of Ukraine dominated today's Group of 20 (G20) summit on the Indonesian island of Bali where leaders of major economies grappled with a dizzying array of issues from hunger to nuclear threats.
Russian President Vladimir Putin's invasion of neighbouring Ukraine in February has pummelled the global economy and revived Cold War-era geopolitical divisions just as the world was emerging from the worst of the Covid-19 pandemic.
As at other recent international forums, the United States and its allies were seeking a statement from the two-day G20 summit against Moscow's military actions.
But Russia, whose forces pounded cities and energy facilities across Ukraine even as the G20 met, said "politicisation" of the summit was unfair.
"Yes, there is a war going on in Ukraine, a hybrid war that the West has unleashed and been preparing for years," said Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, repeating Mr Putin's line that military alliance NATO's expansion had threatened Russia.
A 16-page draft declaration, which diplomats said was yet to be adopted by leaders, acknowledged the rift.
"Most members strongly condemned the war in Ukraine and stressed it is causing immense human suffering and exacerbating existing fragilities in the global economy," it said.
"There were other views and different assessments of the situation and sanctions."
The 20 nations account for more than 80% of the world's gross domestic product, 75% of international trade and 60% of its population.
Hosts Indonesia pleaded for unity and a focus on problems like inflation, hunger and high energy prices, all exacerbated by the war.
"We have no other option, collaboration is needed to save the world," said Indonesian President Joko Widodo.
"G20 must be the catalyst for inclusive economic recovery. We should not divide the world into parts. We must not allow the world to fall into another Cold War."
The draft summit document also said G20 central banks would calibrate monetary tightening with an eye on the global inflation problem, while fiscal stimulus should be "temporary and targeted" to help the vulnerable while not hiking prices.
On debt, it voiced concern about the "deteriorating" situation of some middle-income countries and stressed the importance of all creditors sharing a fair burden.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told the summit in a virtual address that it was time to implement a 10-point peace plan he has proposed. Kyiv is demanding a full Russian withdrawal from occupied territories.
Mr Zelensky called for restoring "radiation safety" at the Russian-held Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, price restrictions on Russian energy resources, and an expanded grain export initiative.
A US official said Washington wanted a clear G20 message against Russia's invasion and its impact on the global economy, while German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said there were encouraging signs of consensus that the war was unacceptable.
Mr Lavrov said he listened to Mr Zelensky's address. He accused him of prolonging the conflict and ignoring Western advice.
Russia has said Mr Putin was too busy to attend the summit.
There was an encouraging sign on the eve of the summit, however, when US President Joe Biden and Chinese leader Xi Jinping, whose nations have been increasingly estranged, met and pledged more frequent communication.
Both men stated their opposition to the use of nuclear weapons, according to readouts from both sides.
Russia has said it reserves the right to use any means including nuclear capability to defend its security.
China and Russia are close, but Beijing has been careful not to provide any direct material support for the Ukraine war that could trigger Western sanctions against it.
Mr Xi told French President Emmanuel Macron during another bilateral meeting that Beijing advocated a ceasefire in Ukraine and peace talks, Chinese state media reported.
Civil society groups blasted the G20 draft declaration for failing to take action on hunger, not strengthening efforts to fund development, and losing sight of an earlier commitment to provide $100bn in climate financing by 2023.
"The G20 is merely repeating old commitments from previous years or noting developments elsewhere, rather than taking on leadership themselves," said Friederike Roder of the group Global Citizen.
"Fifty million people are at the brink of starvation as we speak. There is no time for the G20 to issue calls to action - they are the ones who have to act."
Leaders mingled at a gala dinner this evening, many wearing traditional Indonesian batik shirts. Host Widodo quipped that he hoped the food was not too spicy for foreigners.
Mr Biden, however, missed the meal. "It's been a long day and he has other matters he needed to attend to," a White House official said.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen expressed concern for the health of other world leaders - including Mr Biden - after a positive Covid-19 test forced him to return home early.
FIFA appeals for World Cup ceasefire in Ukraine
The president of the world football body FIFA today called for a one-month ceasefire in Ukraine to mark the World Cup, saying sport could bring people together.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino, addressing leaders of the Group of 20 major economies gathered in Bali, said the World Cup opening Sunday in Qatar could serve as a "positive trigger" in the nearly nine-month Russian invasion of Ukraine.
"My plea to all of you is to think of a temporary ceasefire for one month for the duration of the World Cup," he told a G20 lunch for the leaders.
If not a full ceasefire, there can be "the implementation of some humanitarian corridors or anything that could lead to the resumption of dialogue," he said.
Describing football as a unifier, he pointed out that Russia had hosted the 2018 World Cup and that Ukraine is submitting a joint bid with Spain and Portugal for 2030.
"We are not naive to believe that football can solve the world's problems," Mr Infantino said.
But the World Cup offered a "unique platform," he said, as an estimated five billion people - more than half of humanity - are expected to watch on television.
"Let's take this opportunity to do everything we can to start putting an end to all conflicts," he said.
