The European Council President Donald Tusk has dismissed claims from Russian President Vladimir Putin that liberalism is “obsolete.”

The two leaders are attending the G20 Summit in the Japanese city of Osaka.

In an interview with the Financial Times overnight, President Putin claimed the liberal idea had “outlived its purpose.”

He said Brexit and the rise of populist politics in parts of Europe and the US showed that liberalism was becoming “obsolete” and labelled Germany’s decision to welcome refugees during the migrant crisis a “cardinal mistake.”

“The liberal idea has become obsolete,” he said.

“It has come into conflict with the interests of the overwhelming majority of the population.”

Prime Minister Theresa May shakes hands with Russian President Vladimir Putin during the G20 summit in Osaka, Japan., 28-06-2019. Image: Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire/PA Images

European defence

European Council President Donald Tusk rejected the comments, noting that the Russian President was actually suggesting that “freedoms are obsolete, that the rule of law is obsolete and that human rights are obsolete.”

“We are here as Europeans also to firmly and univocally defend and promote liberal democracy," he said.

“What I find really obsolete are: authoritarianism, personality cults and the rule of oligarchs.

“Even if sometimes they may seem effective.”

I strongly disagree with President Putin that liberalism is obsolete. What I find really obsolete are authoritarianism, personality cults, the rule of oligarchs.

My press statement at #G20OsakaSummit: https://t.co/4AxPbNnB1X pic.twitter.com/7IGDJpxtmY

— Charles Michel (@eucopresident) June 28, 2019

Trade war

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump’s trade war with China has dominated the agenda, with the European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker warning that it is slowing down the global economy.

“The trade relations between China and the US are difficult; they are contributing to the slowdown of the global economy,” he said.

“In our talks, both with the US and the Chinese authorities [...] I was drawing their attention to the harmful impact this controversial matter is creating.”

President Trump is due to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping as the summit concludes tomorrow.

Iran

The other big issue overshadowing the meeting is the increased tensions between the US and Iran.

Earlier this week, President Trump said he would authorise a response of “great and overwhelming force” if the Middle Eastern nation attacked “anything American” - adding that some areas would face “obliteration.”

Mr Xi has said the region is “standing at a crossroads of war and peace” and has called for calm.

“China always stands on the side of peace and opposes war,” he said.

“All parties must remain calm and exercise restraint, strengthen dialogue and consultations, and jointly safeguard regional peace and stability.”

The French President Emanuel Macron said he aimed to convince President Trump to return to the negotiating table with Iran – which is not represented at the Summit.

French President Emmanuel Macron, left, talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping, right, at the G20 Summit, 28-06-2019. Image: AP Photo/Susan Walsh

Climate

President Macron has attempted to turn the focus on the summit on to climate issues – with the US reportedly working to water down a joint-communiqué on combating climate change due to be signed at the end of the gathering.

President Macron has warned that, if there is no agreement on the Paris Climate Accord, leaders will “no longer be capable of defending our climate change goals.”

Russian President Vladimir Putin has already met with both President Trump and the UK Prime Minister Theresa May on the sidelines of the meeting.

With reporting from IRN ...