G20: UK's Lammy reads riot act to Russia, says it has learned nothing from colonial failures
Lammy said G20 partners expected to hear more than what he described as the Russian gentleman’s tired fabrications.
Britain's Foreign Secretary David Lammy leaves after a cabinet meeting at 10 Downing Street, in central London, on 30 October 2024. Picture: AFP
JOHANNESBURG - British foreign minister David Lammy has read Russia the Riot Act as he accuses it of learning nothing from colonial failures.
Lammy, in a speech he delivered behind closed doors at the first G20 foreign ministers meeting in Johannesburg on Thursday, which has since been made public, accuses Russia of not having the appetite to find peace.
His country is one of many who have weighed in on the ongoing conflict – criticising Russia for its continued onslaught against Ukraine.
Lammy said no one should be fooled by the interventions presented by Russia's Sergey Lavrov on resolving the tensions.
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While Lammy noted Lavrov had left his seat when delivering his speech, this did not stop him from lambasting Crimea for its role in the ongoing conflict with Ukraine.
Lammy said G20 partners expected to hear more than what he described as the Russian gentleman’s tired fabrications.
He's added that he wanted the interventions put forward by Lavrov to show Russia respected Ukraine's sovereignty and some sympathy for the victims of the aggression.
Lammy said the starkest challenge facing the globe at the moment is escalating conflict, which is behind vicious cycles of grievance, displacement and low growth.
The foreign ministers meeting will wrap on Friday afternoon, with the next installment expected later in the year.