BANGKOK, May 21 – Representatives from the United States and several other nations walked out of an Asia-Pacific trade ministers’ meeting in Bangkok on Saturday to protest Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, officials said.
The strike was “an expression of disapproval of Russia’s illegal war of aggression in Ukraine and its economic impact on the APEC region,” a diplomat said.
Representatives from Canada, New Zealand, Japan and Australia joined the Americans, led by Trade Representative Katherine Tai, as they exited the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting, two Thai officials and two international diplomats told Reuters.
Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24 and said it aims to demilitarize and “denazify” its neighbor. Ukraine and the West say President Vladimir Putin has launched an unprovoked war of aggression that has claimed thousands of civilian lives, displaced millions of Ukrainians and wreaked economic consequences around the world.
Another diplomat said the five countries hosting the protest wanted “stronger language about Russia’s war” in the group’s final statement, due to be released on Sunday.
“The meeting will not be a failure if (a joint statement) cannot be made,” Thai Trade Minister Jurin Laksanawisit told reporters, adding that the meeting had “progressed well” despite the exit.
The strike came as Russian Economy Minister Maxim Reshetnikov made remarks opening the two-day meeting of the Group of 21 economies.
The delegations from five countries that organized the protest returned to the meeting after Reshetnikov finished his speech, a Thai official said.
Reporting by Panu Wongcha-um and Panarat Thepgumpanat; Adaptation by William Mallard