Heads of the world's leading economies have begun a two-day summit in Brisbane, Australia. Global security looks likely to feature largely on the agenda amid international condemnation of Russia's actions in Ukraine, reports GHN based on DW.
The ninth G20 summit opened on Saturday in the eastern Australian city of Brisbane with a traditional indigenous smoking ceremony and dancing performed by Aboriginal and Torres Strait islanders.
Opening the meeting, host Prime Minister Tony Abbott said he hoped the summit would convey "a message of hope and optimism."
Earlier, Abbott had called on the leaders at the meeting - who include German Chancellor Angela Merkel, United States President Barack Obama, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin - to "be open with each other," suggesting that the use of first names would help in this aim.
Although Australia had voiced hopes that the two-day summit would focus on global economic growth, the current conflicts besetting several regions of the world seem likely to force the issue of global security onto the agenda.
Above all, the crisis in Ukraine continued to dominate politicians' comments ahead of the meeting, with many condemning Moscow for its alleged support of a pro-Russian insurgency in eastern Ukraine.
Speaking on the sidelines of the summit, US President Obama accused Russia of "appalling" aggression against Ukraine, saying it posed a threat to the world.
European Council President Herman Van Rompuy, who is also attending the summit, told a news conference that "Russia must stop the inflow of weapons and troops from its territory into Ukraine, and Russia must withdraw those already present," adding that further EU sanctions against Moscow were possible.
British Prime Minister David Cameron has added his voice to the chorus of verbal attacks on Moscow, slamming it for "bullying" Ukraine, while UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said the crisis in Ukraine was "not sustainable for world peace."
Moscow has repeatedly denied any involvement in the Ukraine conflict, which has claimed more 4,000 lives since it began in April.
