Putin Bristles as Other Leaders Criticize Russia’s Aggression in Ukraine

In his first address to officials from the Group of 20 leading economies since his invasion of Ukraine, President Vladimir V. Putin on Wednesday rebuffed criticism that the war’s aggression was “shocking” and accused Western nations of a double standard because of their response to the conflict between Israel and Hamas.

Appearing at a virtual meeting of the G20, he called the war in Ukraine “a tragedy” that must be stopped and said Russia had “never refused” to engage in peace negotiations.

For Mr. Putin, it was a rare interaction with Western leaders since the start of the war last year. It was also the first time he had to listen to direct, public criticism of the invasion at an international event. Once he had a chance to respond, Mr. Putin could not hide his irritation.

“Some colleagues already in their speeches were saying that they were shocked by the ongoing Russian aggression in Ukraine,” Mr. Putin said. “Military actions are always a tragedy of specific people, families and the country as a whole and we need to think about ways to stop this tragedy.”

He delivered his eight-minute address at an event hosted by India as a follow-up to an in-person G20 gathering in September.

The plight of civilians in Gaza, which he called “an extermination,” was also shocking, he said, implying that the West was willing to overlook the aggression there. He also repeated Russia’s frequent line that Kyiv had acted aggressively against its own people in the Donbas in 2014, calling that shocking.