On February 20, 2025, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov marked his presence at the G20 meeting held in Johannesburg, South Africa, where the spotlight was on European diplomats reiterating their backing for Ukraine amidst ongoing geopolitical tensions. The gathering of the Group of 20 nations comes on the heels of significant bilateral discussions between the United States and Russia aimed at putting an end to the hostilities in Ukraine. Notably absent from the meeting was U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, further underlining the strains within international diplomacy circles.
Rubio's decision to skip the G20 meeting highlights a growing rift between the United States and South Africa. The Trump administration has openly criticized certain South African policies, condemning them as anti-American. In Rubio's absence, Dana Brown, the acting U.S. ambassador to South Africa, represents Washington. This absence coincides with intensified U.S. criticism of South Africa’s stance in international matters, including its comments on Israel at the United Nations.
The G20, esteemed for encompassing 19 leading global economies along with the European Union, convened with several prominent figures including European Union's foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas and China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi. With South Africa presiding over the group this year, President Cyril Ramaphosa spotlighted this meeting as a pivotal moment for addressing key global challenges like climate change and debt crises, although the focus inevitably shifted towards the pressing Ukraine conflict.
The absence of Rubio is perceived as symbolic of a broader policy outlook under President Donald Trump, whose administration has clashed with South Africa over diverging geopolitical objectives. The decision aligns with Trump's 'America First' approach, which prioritizes domestic imperatives over international cooperation. Additionally, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent's non-attendance at the upcoming finance ministers meet further amplifies perceptions of the U.S.'s current stance on global economic dialogues.
This G20 session in South Africa is not just about global economics but about asserting political stances. While European leaders continue to unite on issues surrounding the Ukraine conflict, they've also taken the opportunity to discuss a forward pathway to ceasefire negotiations, despite the persistent divisions within their own ranks, as well as between the larger powers like the U.S., Russia, and China within the G20.
Despite Rubio’s boycott, South Africa has maintained that the U.S. is not entirely absent from its G20 proceedings. Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola has emphasized this stance, casting his hopes on fostering dialogue and cooperation among the myriad of global powers gathered for the first major G20 meeting of the year. Yet, with key figures missing, the impact and efficacy of these talks remain to be seen.
