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US pressures G20 on Russia, but number of states retain independent positions — Kremlin

"It is a well-known fact that the US exerts blatant and undiplomatic pressure on all states regarding all-encompassing countering of our country," Dmitry Peskov said

Russian Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov Mikhail Metzel/TASS

Russian Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov

© Mikhail Metzel/TASS

MOSCOW, March 23. /TASS/. The G20 is a multilateral format, and a number of states adhere to an independent position towards Russia despite the US’ pressure, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters Wednesday.

"It is a well-known fact that the US exerts blatant and undiplomatic pressure on all states regarding all-encompassing countering of our country," he noted.

"As for G20, it is a multilateral format, different opinions exist there. It is clear that the Americans will continue pressing various states, but, as we see, a number of states prefer to adhere to their own independent, sovereign point of view," the spokesman added.

Earlier, US National Advisor Jake Sullivan stated that the US authorities intend to consult with its allies and partners before making any statements regarding Russia’s potential exclusion from G20, but they do believe that, considering the situation in Ukraine, "it cannot be business as usual for Russia in international institutions."

In turn, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman noted that Russia is an important member of G20 and no member state has right to exclude other states from this format.

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