G20 summit opens with a plea for unity as Ukraine war tops agenda

Leaders of the Group of 20 (G20) nations opened talks on Tuesday in Indonesia's Bali Island_ with a plea for unity and concrete action to mend the global economy despite deep rifts over the war in Ukraine_ reports Reuters.

"We have no other option_ collaboration is needed to save the world_" Indonesian President Joko Widodo said in opening remarks_ before the leaders of the world's wealthiest nations began closed-door discussions.

"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_" he said.

The G20_ which includes countries ranging from Brazil to India_ Saudi Arabia and Germany_ accounts for more than 80%of the world's gross domestic product (GDP)_ 75% of international trade and 60% of its population.

A positive sign on the eve of the summit was a three-hour bilateral meeting between US President Joe Biden and Chinese leader Xi Jinping in which the two leaders pledged more frequent communications despite many differences.

Monday's meeting was the first time the two had met in person since Biden became president and the talks appeared to signal an improvement in relations between the superpowers after a downward spiral in recent months.

The Ukraine war and a global spike in inflation is overshadowing the summit_ the first time the meeting is being held since Russia's February invasion of its neighbour.

The invasion triggered calls by some Western leaders for a boycott of the summit and for the withdrawal of Russian President Vladimir Putin's invitation.

Indonesia resisted_ refusing to withdraw Putin's invitation_ and also rejecting what Indonesian sources say has been pressure from G7 nations to condemn Russia at the summit this week.

Russia has said Putin was too busy to attend the summit with Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov taking his place. Lavrov dismissed a news agency report on Monday that he had been taken to hospital in Bali with a heart condition and was present at the meeting.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy addressed the summit via video link_ according to a tweet by the EU's ambassador in Indonesia.

A joint G20 communique_ which would need to be agreed by all parties_ appears unlikely_ with Indonesia instead pushing for a leaders' declaration_ diplomatic sources say.

However_ European Council President Charles Michel said there was an agreement among officials on a text communique on Monday evening_ which he described as "positive".

G20 leaders will denounce the use of_ or any threat to use_ nuclear weapons_ according to an early draft seen by Reuters.

However_ such a communique would need to be confirmed by the leaders.

The G20 ministers' gatherings have failed to produce joint communiques due to disagreement between Russia and other members on language_ including on how to describe the war in Ukraine.