Putin accepts G20 invitation as Ukraine war continues
A look back at 29 April 2022, when an invitation to the Bali summit drew in both Moscow and Kyiv, and at the diplomatic and trade moves reported in the days before.
What did diplomacy look like on 29 April 2022, 64 days into Russia's invasion of Ukraine? Reports that day said Russian President Vladimir Putin had accepted an invitation to the upcoming G20 summit in Bali, Indonesia, despite the war. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had also been invited to the summit.
The days just before had brought other moves. On 27 April 2022, the European Commission proposed lifting for one year all tariffs on Ukrainian produce not covered by the European Union–Ukraine Association Agreement, while easing trade conditions for other goods. The temporary suspension needed approval from the European Parliament and the member states.
Relations between Russia and the United Kingdom were also tense on 27 April 2022. Russia imposed sanctions on 287 members of the House of Commons, in response to sanctions on members of its State Duma. Senior cabinet ministers and House Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle were among those targeted. Britain's Deputy Prime Minister, Dominic Raab, said Russian threats to target Britain were unlawful and only added to the pariah status of Mr Putin's regime.
There was also a individual departure from Russia's financial sector on 27 April 2022. Ihor Volobuiev, a vice-president of Russia's Gazprombank, left his post and the country in protest at the war. He said he planned to join Kyiv's territorial defence.
