The Group of 20 foreign ministers’ meeting in Johannesburg was marked by sharp divisions, with UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy accusing Russia of having “no appetite” for peace in Ukraine.
Lammy, speaking after a closed-door session on Thursday, criticized Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov for leaving the room when it was his turn to speak. “I was hoping to hear sympathy for the victims of aggression and a willingness to seek peace. Instead, I heard the logic of imperialism dressed up as realpolitik,” Lammy said, according to a transcript from the UK Foreign Office.
The two-day summit comes just days after U.S.-Russia talks on Ukraine, which excluded Kyiv and its European allies. Tensions escalated further as U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio boycotted the event, citing the Trump administration’s strained relations with South Africa.
‘Tired Fabrications’ and Diplomatic Boycotts
Lammy dismissed Lavrov’s address as “tired fabrications” and argued that Russia has learned nothing from history. “Mature nations learn from their colonial failures. Russia, I’m afraid, has not,” he said.
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A scheduled G20 group photo was abruptly canceled, underscoring the rift among members. Meanwhile, France, Germany, and the European Union reaffirmed their commitment to supporting Ukraine.
Russia, for its part, highlighted its growing ties with China. “Our relations with China remain a stabilizing factor in global affairs,” Lavrov said in a statement following a bilateral meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
South Africa’s Role and the Future of G20
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa used the summit to push for diplomatic solutions to conflicts, calling for reforms at the UN Security Council. “The G20 must champion inclusive dialogue as the foundation for lasting peace,” he said.
The G20, originally formed to foster global cooperation, has increasingly struggled to bridge geopolitical divides. With Rubio’s pledge to skip November’s main summit and other Western officials pulling back, the forum risks losing relevance amid deepening tensions.
