World · North America · 1 hr ago
Rubio urges G-20 unity as wars deepen divisions among ministers
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged G-20 ministers to cooperate at a meeting in Atlanta on Oct 30.
The gathering included Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, whose participation deepened divisions over the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East.
Russia’s full invasion of Ukraine in 2022 has made consensus statements among G-20 members difficult to reach.
Ministers also raised concerns that renewed US strikes on Iran could push oil prices higher and add to economic pressure.
The meeting was expected to end with a chair’s statement, while ministers work toward a joint declaration for the G-20 leaders’ December summit in Miami.
It remains unclear whether Russian President Vladimir Putin will attend that summit.
G-20 foreign ministers met in Atlanta as the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East deepened divisions among members.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged ministers to cooperate on geopolitical stability and economic prosperity.
Russia’s participation, at Rubio’s invitation, drew objections from European officials and others.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Moscow’s position on Ukraine was unchanged.
The meeting was expected to end without a joint declaration, which requires consensus.
- Who
- G-20 foreign ministers, including US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
- What
- Ministers met amid divisions over the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East. Rubio urged them to work together.
- When
- Oct. 30, 2026; the two-day meeting was also set to continue on Oct. 31.
- Where
- Atlanta, Georgia, United States.
- Why
- The ministers met to discuss geopolitical stability and economic challenges, including crises affecting energy, food and trade.
Russian government
European officials
Ukraine conflict
Russian government
Lavrov said Russia’s position was unchanged and that Moscow could not accept Ukraine as a military threat to its security interests.
European officials
Kaja Kallas accused Lavrov of presenting lies and false narratives; Ed Miliband called Russia the aggressor.
Lavrov’s participation and photo
Russian government
Russia took part in the meeting, and Lavrov acknowledged concerns about the G-20 family photo.
European officials
Some European officials refused to be photographed with Lavrov, with Johann Wadephul saying a photo was unacceptable because there was no normalcy with Russia.
G-20 foreign ministers met in Atlanta, and Rubio urged them to cooperate on stability and prosperity.
Ed Miliband addressed Lavrov during the meeting over Russia’s conduct in the Ukraine war.
US officials said they skipped the traditional G-20 family photo after European officials refused to be photographed with Lavrov.
Ministers were expected to discuss supply chains and access to critical minerals.
G-20 leaders were scheduled to meet in Miami, Florida.
- Meeting location
- Atlanta, Georgia, United States
- Meeting dates
- Oct. 30–31, 2026
- US secretary of state
- Marco Rubio
- Russian foreign minister
- Sergei Lavrov
- Leaders’ summit
- Miami, Florida, Dec. 14–16
2 sources
What people are saying
We are tasked, on behalf of the nations that we serve, to work together... to coordinate responses to emerging crises and to protect our shared interests
We all know you are the aggressor.
He put forward a lot of lies, a lot of false narratives
there is no normalcy with Russia.