May 21, 20227:30 PM GMT+7
Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce Jurin Laksanawisit speaks at the opening ceremony of Ministers Responsible for Trade Meeting during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC 2022) in Bangkok, Thailand May 21, 2022. REUTERS/Soe Zeya Tun
BANGKOK, May 21 (Reuters) - Representatives of the United States and several other nations walked out of an Asia-Pacific trade ministers meeting in Bangkok on Saturday to protest Russia's invasion of Ukraine, officials said.
The walkout was "an expression of disapproval at Russia's
illegal war of aggression in Ukraine and its economic impact in the APEC
region," one diplomat said.
Representatives from Canada, New Zealand, Japan and Australia
joined the Americans, led by Trade Representative Katherine Tai, in walking out
of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting, two Thai officials and
two international diplomats told Reuters.
Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24, saying it aimed to
demilitarise and "denazify" its neighbour. Ukraine and the West say
President Vladimir Putin launched an unprovoked war of aggression, which has
claimed thousands of civilian lives, sent millions of Ukrainians fleeing and
caused economic fallout around the world.
Another diplomat said the five countries that staged the protest
wanted "stronger language on Russia's war" in the group's final
statement to be issued on Sunday.
"The meeting will not be a failure if (a joint statement)
cannot be issued," Thai Commerce Minister Jurin Laksanawisit told
reporters, adding that the meeting was "progressing well" despite the
walk out.
The walkout took place while Russian Economy Minister Maxim
Reshetnikov was delivering remarks at the opening of the two-day meeting from
the group of 21 economies.
The delegations from five countries that staged the protest
returned to the meeting after Reshetnikov finished speaking, a Thai official
said.
Reporting by Panu Wongcha-um and Panarat Thepgumpanat; Editing
by William Mallard
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