Asean leaders ‘unlikely’ to chastise Russia over Ukraine war as summit season begins

Global impact of the Ukraine war – rising energy and food prices to supply chain disruptions – set to dominate G20 Summit in Bali later this month

Southeast Asian nations unlikely to take ‘firmer stance’ on the war apart from airing some concerns, with only Singapore levying sanctions against Russia

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At the Asean Summit on Thursday, the regional bloc signed a Treaty of Amity and Cooperation with Ukraine, paving the way for the establishment of formal relations with Kyiv. Photo: EPA-EFE

Published: 8:30am, 11 Nov 2022Updated: 9:40am, 11 Nov 2022

Southeast Asian countries are likely to steer clear of damaging ties with Russia at the string of diplomatic gatherings this month even as they face growing pressures from Western leaders, analysts said.

The year-end diplomatic bustle kicked off on Thursday with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Summit in Phnom Penh, with top Russian and Ukrainian diplomats there.

The global impact of the war in Ukraine – from rising energy and food prices to supply chain disruptions – is set to dominate discussions at the G20 Summit in Bali later this month.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is likely to attend the meeting, but Vladimir Putin will not, according to Russia’s embassy in Indonesia. Moscow’s delegation will instead be led by the country’s foreign minister.

At the Asean Summit on Thursday, the regional bloc signed a Treaty of Amity and Cooperation with Ukraine, paving the way for the establishment of formal relations with Kyiv.