Western aid agency: G20 exclusion of Russia is not conducive to global food crisis

　　The head of a German aid agency believes that the Russian-Ukrainian conflict has exacerbated the world food crisis and that excluding Russia from the Group of Twenty (G20) may slow down efforts to deal with the crisis.

Communication with Russia is important

　　Reuters reported on March 31 that Matthias Mogg, secretary-general of World Hunger Aid, said in an interview this week that in view of the current humanitarian situation, it is necessary to maintain open channels of communication with Russia.

Russia is one of the world's major wheat producers, and maintaining communication with it is crucial in responding to the food crisis.

　　Since Russia launched a special military operation against Ukraine in late February, food exports from the two countries have fallen, leading to soaring global food prices and shortages of staples in some parts of Central Asia, the Middle East and North Africa, UN officials said.

　　Russia and Ukraine are both major exporters of wheat and corn.

According to Reuters data, wheat exports from the two countries together account for about a quarter of global wheat exports, and corn exports together account for about 16% of global corn exports.

　　Mog said the last food crisis occurred in 2007 and 2008, when Russia was a member of the G8 and played a constructive role in reducing hunger globally.

　　The G7 is made up of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States. Russia joined the Group of Eight in 1997.

After the Ukrainian crisis erupted in 2014, the former G7 members refused to meet in the G8 format and instead re-hosted the G7 summit.

The West wants to isolate Russia

　　Some Western leaders have recently called for Russia to be excluded from the G20 mechanism, citing Russia's special military operation against Ukraine.

Mog made the remarks against this background.

　　U.S. President Joseph Biden said on March 24 in Brussels, home of the European Union headquarters, that he believed the G20 should "fire" Russia.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on March 31 that G20 leaders were discussing Russia's participation in the multilateral mechanism.

　　However, some countries are considering skipping this year's G20 meeting, rather than excluding Russia from the mechanism, Reuters reported, citing people familiar with the matter.

　　This year's G20 leaders summit is scheduled to be held in Indonesia in November.

Russian Ambassador to Indonesia Lyudmila Vorobieva confirmed earlier in March that Russian President Vladimir Putin intends to attend the summit.

　　Russian Presidential Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov said on March 25 that the form of the G20 is important, but in the current situation where most members are waging an economic war against Russia, they are excluded from the G20. In addition, nothing "fatal" will happen to Russia.

　　Russia is unlikely to be excluded from the G20, given the lack of support from emerging market economies for the U.S. and its allies' proposals, Reuters reported, citing the judgment of several analysts.

　　The G20 was established in 1999, and its members include major developed economies and emerging market economies, playing a pivotal role in global affairs.