G20 foreign ministers meet in Atlanta amid split over Ukraine and Iran
Foreign ministers of the Group of 20 economies opened a two-day meeting in Atlanta, Georgia, on Friday 30 Oct, hosted by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov is attending despite international sanctions, and several European officials objected to appearing with him, prompting the cancellation of a traditional group photo. Rubio urged members to cooperate against threats to energy and food supply and freedom of navigation. Global energy prices have risen sharply since the US and Israel struck Iran in February. Few breakthroughs are expected, and the United States plans to publish a chair summary instead of a final declaration.
Key facts
- German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said there is no normality with Russia and called on it to accept Ukraine's position.
- The meeting comes days before US midterm elections and sets up a December G20 leaders' summit at Trump's Doral resort in Miami.
- Britain is set to take over the rotating G20 presidency from the United States.
- EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas accused Lavrov of presenting lies and false narratives about the conflict in Ukraine.
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Why it matters
The split over Ukraine and Iran could limit cooperation among the G20 ahead of its December leaders' summit in Miami.
What changed
First published from Al-Monitor, CNA, Asharq Al-Awsat, The Hindu and Dawn