Commonwealth leaders ended their first meeting in four years on Saturday by noting the United Nations resolution that condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine — but the organization issued no rebuke of its own.
Outside of the conference room, it was left to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau — and more pointedly, Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly — to lay the blame for the impending food security crisis at the feet of Moscow.
Both Britain and Canada spent two days at the Commonwealth meeting trying to convince members on the fence to blame Russia for soaring word-wide food and fuel prices.
It was, at times, a struggle to get mention of support for Ukraine in the final communiqué. In the end it was there, but with no direct condemnation of Russia, which has supporters among the 54-nation body. “Yes, we recognize the challenges — politically — that some member-states face,” Trudeau said, speaking to reporters as the meeting ended.
Trudeau said he made it his mission to argue Ukraine’s case to the room and in meetings with individual leaders. During a United Nations General Assembly vote in March, 10 Commonwealth countries abstained from voting, while one did not vote.
Source:cbc.ca
