Ukrainian climate and energy campaign group Razom We Stand slams the G20 summit’s weak final statement for its failure to address sanctions on Russian fossil fuels or outline a clear global strategy for phasing out dirty fossil fuels. This omission undermines both the fight against climate change and international security as Russia continues to weaponise energy revenues and prey on the world’s fossil fuel addiction to fund its ongoing assault in Ukraine, as we sadly mark 1000 days since the full-scale invasion this week.
Since its full-scale invasion began 1000 days ago, Russia has earned an estimated EUR 785 billion from fossil fuel exports. This income sustains the Kremlin’s war machine, deepens global fossil fuel addiction, and fuels climate destruction. Yet, the G20 sidestepped the need to mention targeted sanctions on Russia’s energy sector, ignoring a critical lever to curb both emissions and conflict.
This glaring omission comes despite the fact Russia launched yet another huge missile and drone attack on Ukraine over the weekend – targeting power plants and energy infrastructure across the country and killing at least five people.
With COP29 negotiations yielding little progress thus far, UN Secretary-General António Guterres urged G20 leaders to demonstrate leadership in cutting emissions, calling on the world’s largest economies—who are responsible for 80% of global greenhouse gas emissions—to set a decisive example for climate action. However, the G20 summit’s final statement fell disapointly short of this mandate, failing to propose urgent measures to accelerate cheaper renewable energy adoption or address the fossil-fuel-driven conflicts exacerbating the climate crisis.
Svitlana Romanko, Founder and Executive Director of Razom We Stand, stated: “The G20’s silence on Russian fossil fuels is a glaring failure to connect the dots between climate destruction, global security, and peace. Russia’s fossil fuel revenues are funding the destruction of Ukraine, destabilising the planet, and blocking the path to renewable energy. By avoiding sanctions and sidestepping a clear renewable energy agenda, the G20 has chosen to ignore the tools we urgently need to dismantle this fossil-fueled war. At COP29, world leaders must correct this oversight and step up, cutting Russia’s energy revenues and committing to a renewable future that delivers true security, resilience, and climate justice.”
As the global community convenes for the final days of COP29 in Azerbaijan—a host country criticised for its deep ties to fossil fuel interests and shady fossil fuel deals with Russia—Razom We Stand calls for decisive action. A renewable future not only weakens Russia’s grip on the fossil fuel market but also creates opportunities for economic growth, as renewable energy is cheaper than traditional fossil fuels. A decentralised clean energy rebuilding of Ukraine could create 4.2 million green jobs, protect against future attacks and offer a blueprint for global energy security and climate action, despite the ongoing war the country is dealing with.
ENDS
Notes:
Razom We Stand is an international campaign group based in Ukraine. We are dedicated to ending Russian fossil fuel funded conflicts and climate chaos while driving a clean energy revolution in Ukraine and around the globe.
Svitlana Romanko has appeared in top-tier international press, including Bloomberg, Washington Post, CNN, NBC, The Hill, Politico, Financial Times, The Guardian, Der Spiegel, Le Monde and more.
For media enquiries, please contact:
Paraic Walker
International Communications Specialist
Razom We Stand
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