Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov attended the G20 foreign ministers meeting in South Africa, while U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio opted not to attend amid rising tensions. The meeting focused on support for Ukraine and pressing global issues like climate change, highlighting geopolitical divisions and concerns about the effectiveness of the G20 in achieving consensus. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa called for serious dialogue against a backdrop of global challenges.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov attended the G20 foreign ministers meeting held in Johannesburg, South Africa, on February 20, 2025. This meeting gathered top European diplomats, who aimed to reaffirm their support for Ukraine amidst the conspicuous absence of U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Lavrov’s participation comes shortly after significant bilateral discussions between the U.S. and Russia regarding the conflict in Ukraine, which excluded Washington’s European allies and Ukraine itself.
Rubio’s absence from the two-day G20 meeting indicates rising tensions between the United States and South Africa, particularly regarding criticisms of South Africa’s policies. The U.S. was represented instead by Dana Brown, the acting ambassador to South Africa. The G20, comprising 19 major global economies and the European Union, strives for unity on critical issues impacting both developed and developing nations, including support for Ukraine.
South Africa, as this year’s G20 president, is hopeful for fruitful discussions on pressing issues, such as climate change and debt restructuring. However, the opening agenda included broader geopolitical discussions. In response to Lavrov’s presence, European representatives emphasized their commitment to Ukraine, condemning Russian actions and expressing interest in participating in ceasefire negotiations.
In his opening remarks, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa underscored the need for serious dialogue amidst global tensions. He noted, “There is a lack of consensus among major powers, including in the G20, on how to respond to these issues.” The absence of Rubio and other U.S. delegates may complicate the G20’s effectiveness and the collaboration it seeks to foster.
This year, the G20 has experienced challenges in achieving a unified stance, particularly due to the disparate interests of its members, including the U.S., Europe, Russia, and China. Rubio’s decision to forgo the G20 meeting aligns with former President Trump’s administration decisions, which have included cutting U.S. aid to South Africa. Trump criticized South Africa’s G20 theme as prioritizing diversity and inclusion over American interests.
Rubio’s remarks highlighted a broader skepticism towards South Africa’s approach: “In other words: DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) and climate change. My job is to advance America’s national interests, not waste taxpayer money or coddle anti-Americanism.” Notably, South African officials have attempted to mitigate concerns regarding the U.S. absence, asserting it does not signal a full boycott of their presidency.
The recent G20 foreign ministers meeting in Johannesburg illuminated the increasing geopolitical divides, particularly highlighted by the absence of U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the presence of Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. With ongoing discussions about Ukraine and global issues like climate change and economic stability, the contrasting positions of member countries suggest challenges in achieving consensus. As tensions rise, the effectiveness of the G20 remains uncertain, especially given the U.S. stance under the Trump administration.
Original Source: apnews.com
