PM defends G20’s watered down condemnation of Russia

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The Prime Minister has left India after a G20 summit that saw Russia further isolated from the international community. 

Vladimir Putin wasn't in India, which left Anthony Albanese to meet with European leaders still hopeful of a free trade agreement promising more jobs and cheaper products. 

As the spectre of war loomed over the conference, the world leaders were united in delivering a rebuke to Russia.

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The Prime Minister is on his way back to Australia after a G20 summit that saw Russia further isolated from the international community.

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"We are one earth, one family and we share one future," India External Affairs Minister Dr Subrahmanyam Jaishankar said.

But the speeches failed to directly call out the aggressor by name.

"Russia has to have gotten the message that this is having a devastating impact and that the world wants this war to stop," Albanese said.

The final G20 declaration was watered down, calling on "all states to refrain from the … use of force" while highlighting the "human suffering" in Ukraine and beyond.

Albanese used the meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron to push for a resolution to a deadlocked free trade deal with the European Union.

However it noted "there were different assessments of the situation" from Russia and China

"That message is very strong language and it's the strongest language yet to be agreed by the international community," Albanese said.

On the summit sidelines, Albanese posed for selfies with host Narenda Modi and embraced diplomacy through sport after France beat the All Blacks.

Albanese used the meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron to push for a resolution to a deadlocked free trade deal with the European Union.

"We believe you can get an agreement because trade is good for both parties," Albanese said.

There was disagreement over the naming of products threatening to scuttle plans to seal the deal by Christmas.

"Australia's position has been very clear that we won't sign up to an agreement for the sake of having an agreement," Albanese said.

The prime minister returns to Australia straight into a week of parliament and a month of campaigning before a vote on the Voice to parliament.