Lavrov snubbed at G20 FM meeting
- Oops!Something went wrong.Please try again later.
- Oops!Something went wrong.Please try again later.
- Oops!Something went wrong.Please try again later.
Read also: A turning point in the war of Putin's Russia against Ukraine and the civilized world
“Lavrov will hold some bilateral meetings, talk to the press, and leave,” Spiegel quoted Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova as saying.
Read also: Belarusians do not support entering the war in Ukraine – poll
The itinerary change means that Lavrov will miss an upcoming official dinner and an afternoon work session.
Other sources at the G20 meeting suggest that the minister left immediately after his speech, but not before he dodged a question from German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock.
Read also: Retired US General Ben Hodges on how the war might develop
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken called Russia out on its policy of blockading Ukrainian ports, which threatens to induce famine across a number of African and Asian countries.
“To our Russian colleagues: Ukraine is not your country; its grain is not your grain,” The Washington Post quoted Blinken.
Read also: No applications for Ukraine visa from Russia since introduction of visa regime, says FM Kuleba
“Why are you blocking the ports? You should let the grain out.”
Lavrov has apparently already left the room by the time Blinken delivered his remarks.
Read also: Russian National Guard commander put on international wanted list for war crimes
Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi refused to attend the official dinner if Lavrov is there.
Read also: Kremlin preparing Russian economy for "special measures" due to war in Ukraine, reports ISW
The traditional group photo of all attendees had to be canceled, as some didn’t want to stand side-by-side with Lavrov.
A G20 summit for heads of state is slated for November in Bali, with several leaders indicating they could skip the event if Russian dictator Vladimir Putin also attends.
