European diplomats shun Russia at G20 gathering in the US

The Group of 20 foreign ministers' meeting in Atlanta began on Friday with a notable snub as European diplomats refused to be photographed alongside Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, hosting the gathering, preemptively canceled the traditional 'family photo' to prevent it from becoming a spectacle or distraction. The two-day meeting serves as a precursor to a G20 leaders summit in December, which US President Donald Trump will host at his Miami golf club.

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul explained the European position, stating there wouldn't 'be a family photo with European partners and Mr. Lavrov together because...there is no normalcy with Russia.' The gathering brings together foreign ministers from major countries including the EU, Russia, Germany, India, China, and Brazil to discuss pressing global issues.

Unity Despite Fractures

Despite the visible divisions, Rubio opened the talks by emphasizing unity on major issues, telling counterparts they were in a 'critical moment.' He highlighted 'a series of interconnected economic and geopolitical crises' including disruptions to global energy and trade that pose 'severe threats to essential foundations of the global economic order.' The meeting aims to address challenges like freedom of navigation in critical trade routes, particularly the Black Sea and the Strait of Hormuz.

The gathering occurs while several G20 members, including the United States and Russia, are engaged in separate wars. Conflicts in Ukraine and Iran have contributed to rising food prices worldwide, adding urgency to diplomatic efforts. With renewed momentum to revive talks on ending the war in Ukraine, there was particular interest in hearing Lavrov's stance on potential negotiations with Kyiv.

Russia's Moscow Meeting Offer

The US has invited Russian President Vladimir Putin to the December G20 leaders' meeting in Miami, though it remains unclear whether Russia has accepted the invitation. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has previously expressed willingness to travel to Miami for talks with Putin if both were present. However, the Kremlin has declined direct meetings with Zelenskyy.

On the sidelines of the meeting, Lavrov told DW that Putin is willing to meet with the Ukrainian leader if he travels to Moscow. 'President Putin said if he [Zelenskyy] is willing to meet, let him come to Moscow,' Lavrov stated. 'We will guarantee his safety.' Lavrov declined to comment on whether Putin will attend the December summit, having not participated in person since 2019.

Russia has continued attacks on Ukrainian cities in recent weeks, increasing drone strikes on water and energy infrastructure. A Russian drone strike on a railway station in Dnipro on October 29 killed at least 14 people, highlighting the ongoing conflict despite diplomatic discussions.

EU Confronts Lavrov

European Union top diplomat Kaja Kallas revealed that ministers directly confronted Lavrov during the meeting. 'We were talking about the big geopolitical crises, including Ukraine, and we were able to address Sergey Lavrov head-on with this,' Kallas said. 'Of course, he put forward a lot of lies, a lot of false narratives that we were also able to then rebuke.'

British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband also called out Lavrov, stating, 'If we are serious about our values and our interests, we must also work harder to secure just and lasting peace in Ukraine.' Despite these tensions, Lavrov downplayed recent diplomatic overtures, noting that 'in practice, no real progress in relations with the US has so far been seen' despite Trump's recent diesel deal with Russia and sanctions waivers.

Exclusions and Outcomes

The Trump administration excluded South Africa, a founding G20 member and the only African country in the group, from the ministers' meeting despite including only formal members. South African officials maintained their non-participation was not voluntary, with spokesperson Phindile Kunene stating, 'We have consistently maintained that our nonparticipation is not voluntary.' Ukraine, not a G20 member, was also not invited this year.

Given the multiple divisions and ongoing conflicts, consensus on a final declaration appeared unlikely. Instead, the meeting is expected to conclude on Saturday with a chair summary drafted by the US, rather than a joint statement reflecting collective agreement among all members.