Diplomatic rifts and tensions shape G20 meeting in South Africa

Russian top diplomat’s attendance at the G20 foreign ministers meeting in Johannesburg underscored the geopolitical divides that continue to challenge global cooperation, according to analysts.

Russia’s Sergey Lavrov has joined other foreign ministers from the Group of 20 (G20) top economies for a two-day meeting in South Africa’s Johannesburg, amid growing geopolitical divides, tensions over the Ukraine war and with the top US diplomat a notable absentee.
US State Secretary of State Marco Rubio boycotted the G20 summit, due to what he described as “anti-Americanism” by South African authorities.

The event, which opened on Feb 20, was also boycotted by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent who said he had other commitments in Washington.

The US absence highlighted the deepening rift between Washington and other G20 members, particularly in light of rising tensions over policies related to South Africa and Ukraine. The US decision to skip the event, alongside president Donald Trump’s recent criticism of Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy along with accusations about Ukraine’s role as ‘the aggressor’ in the conflict, has raised concerns among European leaders.

The US notable absence comes after a spat with South Africa, which holds the G20 presidency this year. The heightened tensions with South Africa came after Rubio and Trump criticized the country’s stance on issues like Israel and its close ties to China and Iran. During the meeting, South African president Cyril Ramaphosa noted “a lack of consensus among major powers, including in the G20, on how to respond to these issues” while emphasizing the importance of multilateralism and international law as central to addressing the world’s crises.

However, the G20 faces significant challenges in finding a common ground on key issues like climate change and the Ukraine conflict. Despite the divisions, the gathering in Johannesburg remains a critical opportunity for the group to explore diplomatic solutions to global insecurity while trying to bolster cooperation on shared challenges.