'Koala diplomacy' breaks ice, melts hearts at G-20

The world's most powerful political and economic leaders have reached a rare unanimous agreement at the Group of 20 summit in Brisbane, Australia.

The consensus — koalas are adorable.

Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott greeted the illustrious G-20 attendees before the start of the summit with Jimelung the koala and an as yet unnamed companion, resulting in what may be the most joyful opening to an international economic summit in recent history.

Everyone from President Obama to IMF chief Christine Lagarde cracked child-like grins in the presence of the cuddly marsupials. Even the usually stoic Russian President Vladimir Putin — who is being widely criticized for his country's actions in eastern Ukraine — beamed as he hugged a wide-eyed koala






USA TODAY