Anthony Albanese says Vladimir Putin 'could end war now’ as G20 closes without solutions

Anthony Albanese has made a push for peace as the G20 summit in Brazil came to a close with leaders reaching consensus only on vague commitments on Israel and Ukraine.

World leaders have failed to condemn Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and only agreed to weak language on ending war in the Middle East, funding climate change initiatives and taxing billionaires.

Anthony Albanese departed Brazil Wednesday morning Australian time at the conclusion of the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro where leaders reached consensus only on vague commitments around key issues like the wars in Ukraine and Gaza – with neither Russia or Hamas getting a mention by name in the final leaders’ statement.

Israel was only referenced in relation to support for a two-state solution, and while the 20 biggest economies in the world all agreed to call for a “comprehensive ceasefire” in the Middle East, they were split on how to end the conflict.

Anthony Albanese said the G20 outcomes “were all about jobs and economic activity in Australia”. Picture: Getty Images

During what was expected to be the Prime Minister’s final international trip before the next federal election, Mr Albanese joined a push to preserve “free and fair” trade, describing it as the key to protecting Australian jobs and driving economic prosperity.

Mr Albanese said the summit had a “strong focus” on tackling inflation and the implications for people’s living standards flowing on from higher costs.

“The outcomes achieved here are all about jobs and economic activity in Australia,” he said.

“We know that one in four of Australia jobs is trade dependent, and that’s why Australia’s relationships with the world matter.”

Mr Albanese said leaders committed to addressing cost of living pressures and that despite inflation going down there was “more work to do”.

He said Australia “unequivocally” opposed Russia’s “illegal immoral invasion” of Ukraine, arguing President Vladimir Putin could “end this war now” by withdrawing to his own borders.

Leaders attending the meeting on Sustainable Development and Energy Transition pose for a group photo after the third session of the G20 Leaders' Meeting in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Picture: AFP

As world leaders assembled for the official “family photo” at the summit, Mr Albanese was seen chatting with various leaders as they got into position, including Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

Mr Albanese and Mr Xi were placed next to each other for the picture, with the two conversing briefly just a day after meeting for formal talks on the sidelines of the G20.

The picture was taken without the dramas of a similar photo organised on the first day, when President Joe Biden, Mr Trudeau and Ms Meloni all accidentally missed the shot.

Though not in attendance at the meeting in Brazil, or the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Peru days earlier, Donald Trump loomed large over the gatherings of world leaders, who were all anxious to send a message on the importance of open trade given the incoming US President’s promise of heaping tariffs on goods imported to America.

While nations were largely in agreement on trade, the likely withdrawal of the US from key climate initiatives under Mr Trump has already begun to destabilise consensus on the issue, which Russia and China have both previously exploited to avoid their own commitments.

At the G20, summit host Brazil was seeking support for a two per cent minimum tax on the world’s billionaires that would generate about $307 billion a year to be used to help alleviate poverty and climate change.

But the G20 leaders were unable to reach consensus, with Argentina’s President Javier Milei withdrawing support shortly after he had dined in the US with Mr Trump.

Countries were also unable to agree on a funding model to help developing countries deal with climate change.

The final wording of the agreement described the proposal of other nations financing these efforts as voluntary contributions, rather than obligations.

Mr Albanese also met with India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with the two leaders promising further action on climate change and to strengthen the Quad with the United States and Japan.

“Australia and India have a shared ambition to move faster, work together and deploy our complementary capabilities to drive climate action,” the PM said.