Putin walks out of G20 summit early

16/11/2014| IslamWeb

Russian President Vladimir Putin has left the G20 summit in Australia early, live footage showed, after he came under intense pressure from the West over Moscow's alleged support for separatist fights in eastern Ukraine.

Putin told reporters he was leaving before the release of the G20's communique because of the long flight to Russia and he wanted to get some sleep, Reuters news agency reported.

In unusually frank language between two leaders, Stephen Harper, the Canadian prime minister, was reported to have told Putin as they shook hands to "get out of Ukraine".

According to Jason MacDonald, Harper's spokesman, the prime minister told the Russian leader: "I guess I will shake your hand but I have only one thing to say to you: You need to get out of Ukraine."

British Prime Minister David Cameron was among other leaders who publicly criticized Russia, accusing it of "bullying a smaller state in Europe" and warning that Moscow would face further sanctions if it continues "destabilizing Ukraine".

Putin left on Sunday before the final communique from the weekend talks was issued, but attended the annual forum's wrap-up lunch and praised the "constructive discussions".

Speaking at a press conference broadcast on Russian television earlier, he said "some of our views do not coincide, but the discussions were complete, constructive and very helpful".

Putin also thanked Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott for hosting the event.

 

PHOTO CAPTION

Russian President Vladimir Putin, center, yawns at the start of the plenary session at the G20 Summit in Brisbane, Australia Saturday, Nov. 15, 2014

Aljazeera