This weekend, world leaders will gather for the G20 summit in India. However, the absence of two key players will be conspicuous. Both Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin have canceled it.

The United States, he wrote, would use this vacuum to its advantage The New York Times.

Among other things, President Joe Biden wants to strengthen relations with host country India. With Xi and Putin out of the way, he will also have space to argue with other world leaders that they should side with the United States on matters that condemn Russia’s war in Ukraine and slow China’s increasing aggression in the Indo-Pacific region.

The United States believes it is important for cooperation

US President Joe Biden arrived in the Indian capital, New Delhi, on Friday with clear plans for the meeting. The backdrop for them is increasing military and economic aggression by China and Russia, and the desire of the United States to strengthen cooperation with developing countries.

We hope that this G20 summit will show that the world’s largest economies can work together even in difficult times, says US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan. CNN.

Biden said earlier this week that he was disappointed that Xi Jinping was unable to attend.

The submarine can be equipped with nuclear weapons

For the first time since 2013

It was previously expected that Vladimir Putin would not participate in the summit, as he is internationally wanted for committing war crimes in Ukraine. As an alternative, Russia sent its Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

On the other hand, the fact that Chinese Head of State Xi Jinping is staying at home has raised many people’s eyebrows.

This is the first time ever that the Chinese leader, who took power in 2013, has not attended the G20 meeting. Instead, Li Qiang, the country’s prime minister, will represent China’s interests. This came, according to the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a statement, today, Monday.

Speculation is rampant: – Vague

Rumors abound

Xi’s absence led to a torrent of rumors among experts. Many speculate about his health condition, while others believe more complex conditions are the root cause.

Beijing is under increasing pressure as a result of its close relationship with Russia. Some analysts have suggested that Xi is avoiding the G20 meeting partly out of solidarity with Putin Watchman.

Others point to the tense relationship between China and India as a reason for the president to stay home.

The competition between the two superpowers is enormous on both the economic and military levels.

Stoltenberg warns against escalation

Uncertainty about the statement

During the previous summit, the leaders did not reach a joint statement. It is to be expected whether this meeting will have the same fate.

The uncertainty is particularly linked to the circumstances surrounding the war in Ukraine, where neither Russia nor China will accept a statement distancing itself from the war.

Last year’s summit was dominated by disagreements between the G20 countries over how to respond to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Among other things, India abstained from voting in favor of UN resolutions condemning the invasion, and has purchased unprecedented amounts of Russian oil during the past two years.

India and its Prime Minister Narendra Modi are hosting the summit this weekend. The meeting will be largely about finances.

The G20 is made up of 19 countries and the European Union. Together, these regions represent 80% of the total global production, and 60% of the world’s land area.