France says Russia, Saudis, India blocking COP30 deal on fossil fuels

France said Friday that Russia, Saudi Arabia and India, along with many emerging economies, were the main obstacles to a COP30 deal on phasing out fossil fuels.

"Who are the biggest blockers? We all know them. They are the oil-producing countries, of course. Russia, India, Saudi Arabia. But they are joined by many emerging countries," French ecological transition minister Monique Barbut told AFP.

German Environment Minister Carsten Schneider said the latest draft deal unveiled by COP30 host Brazil "cannot remain as it is" and warned that "negotiations will be tough" on the last day of the UN climate talks in Belem, Brazil.