Russia uncompromising as Rubio hosts G20 talks in shadow of conflicts

ATLANTA: Russia showed no sign on Friday of softening its stance on Kyiv as G20 foreign ministers opened talks in the United States, with the wars in Ukraine and Iran deepening rifts between members of the sprawling forum.

Sharp disagreements emerged around the table, with EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas accusing Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov of presenting "lies" on issues such as the conflict in Ukraine.

"He put forward a lot of lies, a lot of false narratives" that Europeans were able to push back on, Kallas told AFP.

European officials also sought to put more pressure on Moscow, particularly to secure a ceasefire in the Black Sea, a key agricultural export corridor.

Lavrov, in turn, was "quite provocative" in his remarks, a European diplomatic source said.

At a press conference, Lavrov criticised Europeans for their "arrogant boycott" while praising the willingness of US President Donald Trump's administration to engage with Moscow.

Plans for a traditional family photo of G20 ministers were called off after some European officials objected to appearing alongside Lavrov, a diplomatic source told AFP.

European leaders have opted not to appear in photographs with Russian delegations at other G20 meetings this year, as fighting continues more than four years after Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

A US official said the photograph was cancelled to avoid allowing "a ceremonial photo opportunity to become a diplomatic distraction".

The gathering in Atlanta, taking place just days before the US midterm elections, sets the stage for a G20 leaders' summit at Trump's Doral resort in Miami in December.

But it also comes as global energy prices have rocketed since the US and Israel launched strikes on Iran in February. Teheran retaliated by choking off the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for oil and gas transit.

Even as the United States seeks to focus on economic growth, trade imbalances and supply chain challenges — covering areas such as energy and critical minerals — few breakthroughs are expected.

Instead of a final declaration, the two days of talks are expected to conclude on Saturday with a chair's summary drafted by the United States.

'Decent talk'

Still, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told an opening plenary that the world faces a critical "moment of choosing" as it grapples with "interconnected economic and geopolitical crises".

He urged the Group of 20 forum — which includes China, France, Germany, India, Japan and Russia — to work together against threats such as strains on global energy and food supply chains, and to uphold freedom of navigation.

Rubio spoke briefly with Lavrov on the sidelines of the G20 meeting, with the Russian minister saying both sides had a "decent talk".

Moscow has been shunned by most of the West since it invaded Ukraine, and Lavrov himself remains under international sanctions.

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said that "there is no normality with Russia" and pledged to again "call on Russia to finally accept Ukraine's offer of a ceasefire, starting in the Black Sea".

Rubio's interactions with Lavrov in Atlanta are being closely watched as Washington pursues diplomacy on Ukraine while seeking Moscow's cooperation in reining in fuel prices, a key campaign issue in the US midterm elections.

Lavrov's G20 appearance comes ahead of fresh negotiations expected between Moscow, Kyiv and Washington in November.

Analysts say his presence is not surprising, as Washington has welcomed Russian officials to this year's G20 events while excluding fellow member South Africa.

Trump has also invited Russian President Vladimir Putin to Florida in December and eased some sanctions on Moscow while touting a deal for Russia to sell diesel as prices soared, squeezing Americans.

Another issue key to the US agenda is freedom of navigation.

A US State Department official flagged "shared resolve to confront urgent crises and keep critical sea lanes open to commerce without threats or tolls".

But the possibility of further escalation in the Middle East is mounting, with Trump signalling he could attack Iran after Tuesday's midterm elections.