Kremlin says Russia would not be upset if it gets kicked out of the G20 for invading Ukraine and would focus on different countries for allies

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov called the G20 "important" but said "nothing terrible will happen" given countries already have sanctions in place.

• Russia said "nothing terrible will happen" if it gets kicked out of the G20.
• Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said can try ally with other countries, beyond the US and Europe.
• Western leaders worry China could aid Russia.

The Kremlin said on Friday that Russia would not be upset if it gets kicked out of the G20, and that it would turn instead to other counties for allies.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov was questioned by reporters on a call on Friday morning about what would happen if Russia was expelled from the group, which was a move suggested by US President Joe Biden.

Peskov said, according to Reuters: "The G20 format is important, but in the current circumstances, when most of the participants are in a state of economic war with us, nothing terrible will happen."

Peskov said that Russia could try and turn to countries beyond the US and Europe, and said that some countries were meeting Russia with a less harsh response, Reuters reported.

Many G20 countries have already put Russia under heavy sanctions over its invasion of Ukraine, including the US, UK, and EU nations.

But Western leaders have signaled concern that China will help Russia.

NATO leaders singled out China in a statement on Wednesday, saying in a statement to Politico that it should "uphold the international order including the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity" and called on it to "abstain from supporting Russia's war effort in any way, and to refrain from any action that helps Russia circumvent sanctions."

The leaders also told Politico: "We are concerned by recent public comments by [Chinese] officials and call on China to cease amplifying the Kremlin's false narratives, in particular on the war and on NATO, and to promote a peaceful resolution to the conflict."

Biden said on Thursday that he would support kicking Russia out of the G20, but said the decision would depend on the group.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said in a statement shared with Newsweek on Wednesday: "Russia is an important member, and no member has the right to expel another country."