The United States, Japan and four other nations have condemned Russia's war in Ukraine in a joint release as they wrapped up a meeting of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) finance ministers in Bangkok.
The Apec meeting Thursday ended without issuing a joint statement due to a rift among participating nations over their views on Russia's invasion of Ukraine launched in February.
"We condemn in the strongest terms Russia's unprovoked war of aggression against Ukraine, including Russia's recent attacks on civilians and their illegal attempted annexation in Ukraine," said the release by the six nations, which also included Australia, Canada, New Zealand and South Korea.
The six democracies demanded that Moscow "immediately cease its use of force and completely and unconditionally withdraw all of its military forces from Ukrainian territory," it said.
The release also called for the international community to unite against the aggression, which undermines the rules-based international order, while expressing concern about the adverse global effects of the war.
The six countries said Moscow's acts "have further strained global supply chains, contributed to inflationary pressures, and undermined the global economy's recovery towards strong, balanced, inclusive, innovative, and sustainable growth," it said.
They pledged to step up efforts to overcome the global food crisis, and underscored the need to promote energy resilience, access and security in the Asia-Pacific region.
The meeting was held with 21 countries and regions participating ahead of the Apec leaders meeting slated for November in the Thai capital. They included Russia, China and Taiwan.
Previous Apec ministerial meetings, including the trade ministers meeting in May, have similarly ended without a joint statement due to differences over the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
A Western diplomatic source said there was also a disagreement among nations over the Taiwan Strait in the latest meeting.
Finance Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith, the chair of the finance ministers meeting, said in a statement that the meeting expressed its concern that "the remaining effects of the Covid-19 pandemic had contributed to supply chain disruptions and surging inflation, and the consequent tightening of financial conditions."
