Representatives of five nations including Japan walked out of a meeting of trade ministers from the Asia-Pacific region in protest against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Japanese officials said.
The two-day meeting in Bangkok of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum wrapped up Sunday, with promotion of trade and investment in a post-COVID-19 world high on the agenda.
The coordinated walkout, also involving the U.S., Australia, Canada and New Zealand, happened when Maksim Reshetnikov, Russia's economic development minister, started delivering his remarks during a morning session, the Japanese officials said.