Iran Press/ Asia: US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan yesterday (Tuesday) raised the possibility of excluding Russia from the G20. The next G20 summit is scheduled for late 2022 in Indonesia.
Beijing described Russia as an 'important member' of the G20 in the latest sign of China providing a level of diplomatic protection to the country, which is increasingly isolated over its invasion of Ukraine.
'The G20 is the main forum for international economic cooperation,' Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin told reporters. 'Russia is an important member, and no member has the right to expel another country.'
Chinese President Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin declared a relationship of 'no limits' following a visit by the Russian President to Beijing for the Winter Olympics.
Wang's comments follow a briefing by a top Washington security advisor on Tuesday indicating the US will lead pressure on Russia to be cut from international forums over its invasion of its neighbor. 219
