G20 Meeting in South Africa: Lavrov Attends Amid U.S. Absence
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov participated in a G20 meeting in Johannesburg, South Africa, while U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio skipped the event amid tensions with South Africa. The meeting focused on global geopolitical issues, particularly the situation in Ukraine, where European diplomats pledged continued support for Ukraine. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa emphasized the need for serious dialogue on pressing global challenges facing the G20 nations.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov attended a G20 foreign ministers meeting in Johannesburg, South Africa, on February 20, 2025. His presence contrasted with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s conspicuous absence at the gathering, where European diplomats are expected to affirm their support for Ukraine against Russian aggression. This meeting occurred just days after U.S.-Russia discussions aimed at de-escalating the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, which excluded Washington’s European allies.
Rubio opted out of the G20 meeting due to ongoing disputes between the U.S. and South Africa regarding various policies deemed anti-American by the Trump administration. Instead, the U.S. representation was fulfilled by Dana Brown, the acting ambassador to South Africa. South Africa serves as the G20 presidency this year, making this meeting a crucial platform for addressing pressing global issues, including the Ukraine conflict.
During the session, the ongoing war in Ukraine is expected to dominate discussions, with the United Kingdom and European Union members voicing continued support for Ukraine. The G20 aims to unite developed and developing nations; however, reaching a consensus remains challenging due to divergent interests between the U.S., Europe, Russia, and China. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa called for serious dialogue amidst current geopolitical tensions affecting various global crises.
Rubio’s choice to forgo the G20 meeting and his declaration to skip the forthcoming G20 summit in November might weaken the G20’s effectiveness, reflecting a broader trend of diminishing U.S. engagement in international organizations under the Trump administration. Compounding this situation, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent also announced he would not participate in the G20 finance ministers meeting due to conflicting commitments.
The Trump administration has recently taken punitive actions against South Africa, including executive orders cutting U.S. aid due to perceived anti-American stances. Rubio criticized South Africa’s G20 theme of “solidarity, equality, and sustainability” as prioritizing diversity, equity, and climate change over American interests. In light of Rubio’s absence, South African officials indicated that the U.S. position regarding the G20 presidency remains intact, suggesting this absenteeism will not significantly hinder their efforts at the summit.
The G20 meeting in South Africa highlighted significant geopolitical divides, particularly regarding the conflict in Ukraine, with Russian officials present while the U.S. boycotted the event. The absence of key U.S. representatives underscores ongoing tensions in foreign policy under the Trump administration. The meeting provided an opportunity for European diplomats to collaborate and articulate their stance on global issues, despite challenges in reaching consensus across various member nations.
Original Source: apnews.com
