G20 Drops Family Photo Over Sergey Lavrov — SkimNews
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- Marco Rubio urged fellow G20 ministers on Friday to coordinate responses to crises affecting energy and food supplies, trade and freedom of navigation; four ministerial-level meetings this year achieved some consensus, but more work remained before the Dec. 14-16 Miami summit.
- Sergey Lavrov’s attendance roiled ministers over the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East; European officials refused a traditional photo with him, and a third of participants, including Australia and Canada, objected. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said there was “no normalcy with Russia.”
- Anita Anand missed the opening plenary because she was arriving late from the Canada-EU summit in Montreal, while South Africa’s minister was absent after the U.S. did not invite South Africa to the rotating-presidency gathering.
- G20 trade ministers signed a U.S.-led statement on excess industrial capacity after the full group failed to reach consensus; Elaine Dezenski of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies said ad hoc statements can offer a way forward.
- Pax Silica aims to unite G20 countries concerned about China’s dominance in rare earths and other critical minerals, while the Quad security grouping is also scheduled to meet in Atlanta in coming days.
- Kaja Kallas said she would call for increased support for Ukraine and progress on accountability through the Special Tribunal and Claims Commission.
- Russia is expected to join Ukraine and the U.S. for technical-level trilateral talks in Abu Dhabi next month as Trump pushes for a ceasefire; Ukraine was not invited to the G20 foreign ministers’ meeting in Atlanta.
Why it matters: A third of participants objected to appearing with Sergey Lavrov, underscoring that all-member G20 coordination is weaker than a decade ago. Before the Dec. 14-16 Miami summit, Washington is using narrower vehicles such as Pax Silica, the Quad and an excess-capacity statement signed after the group failed to reach consensus.
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