Risks to global outlook more balanced finance draft communique
Likelihood of global soft landing increasing draft communique
Mention of 39;wars39; in brackets, suggesting no consensus yet
Yellen calls on G7 to unlock value of frozen Russian assets

SAO PAULO, Feb 27 Reuters Group of 20 finance leaders at a meeting in Brazil this week are expected to make only a passing reference in their final communique to regional conflicts, according to a draft version of the statement seen by Reuters, due to deep divisions over wars in Gaza and Ukraine.

The draft communique, far shorter than previous years as host nation Brazil works to sidestep geopolitical controversies, also said the likelihood of a soft landing in the global economy has increased, but uncertainty remains high.

Risks to the global economic outlook are more balanced, with fasterthanexpected disinflation and more growthfriendly fiscal consolidation underpinning growth, the draft said.

After a gathering of foreign ministers in Rio de Janeiro last week focused on deep divisions over Russia39;s invasion of Ukraine and Israel39;s bombardment of Gaza, G20 finance officials are expected to set aside geopolitics and focus on global economic issues as they gather in Sao Paulo this week.

The draft communique that deputy finance ministers have been revising reflects a delicate effort to acknowledge regional conflicts while maintaining consensus, which Brazil has emphasized during its presidency of the G20 major…