Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov is set to arrive in Johannesburg on Thursday to participate in the G20 foreign ministers' meeting. The two-day summit will take place in South Africa's largest city.
In 2025, South Africa assumes the G20 presidency, taking over from Brazil. This means the agenda for the group will once again be influenced by a BRICS ally of Russia. Notably, this marks the first time a G20 ministerial meeting is being hosted on the African continent.
Lavrov’s visit to South Africa comes on the heels of high-stakes negotiations between Russia and the United States in Riyadh, an event closely watched by the global community. His G20 counterparts are expected to seek insights into the outcomes of these talks from one of the central figures involved. They will have ample opportunity to do so, as Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova confirmed that Lavrov has several bilateral meetings scheduled during the summit.
One of the major questions is whether other Western nations will follow the US's lead and request a meeting with Lavrov on the sidelines of the G20 session. Russia has consistently emphasized its openness to dialogue, provided there is genuine interest from foreign ministers. However, over the past three years, Western officials have largely avoided direct engagements with their Russian counterpart.
US-South Africa Diplomatic Rift
A separate diplomatic controversy has emerged involving US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who was also present at the recent Saudi negotiations. Unlike Lavrov, however, Rubio has opted not to attend the G20 meeting in Johannesburg. This decision has intensified a growing rift between Washington and Pretoria.
Tensions escalated after US President Donald Trump signed an executive order on February 7 to terminate all American aid to South Africa. He accused the South African government of racial discrimination against white citizens and raised concerns about potential land seizures from farmers. Trump also criticized Pretoria for filing a case against Israel at the International Court of Justice in December 2023, accusing it of genocide in Gaza.
Rubio subsequently announced that he would not participate in the G20 discussions, citing South Africa’s “anti-American policies” and an agenda he deemed “misguided,” focused on solidarity, equality, and sustainability. Pretoria attempted to reach out to Washington for clarification and dialogue, but thus far, there has been no response from the US administration.
Agenda of the G20 Meeting
Speaking at a parliamentary session ahead of his departure, Lavrov underscored the importance of using the G20 platform to encourage Western counterparts to engage in respectful, constructive cooperation rather than imposing unilateral policies. He highlighted Russia’s efforts, alongside BRICS allies and other Global South nations, to counter attempts by Western countries to steer the agenda towards Ukraine-related issues and impose restrictive economic, financial, trade, and climate policies.
The Johannesburg meeting will be inaugurated by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, who will outline key global challenges and threats. South Africa, as the host nation, aims to propose a unifying set of discussion topics. According to Zakharova, the priorities set forth by Pretoria focus on stimulating economic growth, reducing inequality, addressing global imbalances, and ensuring fair access to financial resources for Global South nations. The overarching theme of the consultations will align with South Africa’s commitment to solidarity, equality, and sustainable development.
Lavrov’s Address at the G20
During his speech, Lavrov will provide a comprehensive analysis of international affairs, emphasizing the root causes of ongoing and past geopolitical crises. According to Russian diplomatic sources, he will outline concrete steps to address destabilizing global trends.
“There will also be a renewed call for maintaining an open global economy, rejecting trade wars, illegal sanctions, and other forms of unfair competition,” Zakharova stated. “Russia will reaffirm its commitment to preserving the central role of the United Nations in global governance and the importance of upholding the UN Charter in its entirety.”
Lavrov is also expected to highlight the significance of international alliances that operate based on mutual respect and cooperation rather than coercion or threats. He will specifically address the role of organizations such as the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), and BRICS. Additionally, the Russian minister will emphasize Moscow’s vision for a “Greater Eurasian Partnership,” a strategic initiative aimed at fostering deeper economic and political collaboration across the continent.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Russian Foreign Ministry
Based on TASS materials