The United States and others have walked out of APEC talks over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine

Officials say representatives from the US and other countries walked out of an Asia-Pacific trade minister’s conference in Bangkok on Saturday to protest Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

According to one ambassador, the departure was “a show of dissatisfaction of Russia’s illegal war of aggression in Ukraine and its economic impact on the APEC region.”

Two Thai officials and two international diplomats informed Reuters that representatives from Canada, New Zealand, Japan, and Australia joined the Americans in walking out of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) conference, led by Trade Representative Katherine Tai.

On February 24, Russia invaded Ukraine, claiming to be demilitarizing and “denazifying” its neighbor. Ukraine and the West argue that President Vladimir Putin unleashed an unjustified campaign of aggression that has killed thousands of civilians, displaced millions of Ukrainians, and wreaked havoc on the global economy.

Another diplomat said the protestors wanted “stronger wording against Russia’s war” in the group’s final statement, which is expected to be released on Sunday.

“If (a joint statement) cannot be made, the conference would not be a failure,” Thai Commerce Minister Jurin Laksanawisit told reporters, adding that the discussion was “progressing well” despite the walkout.

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