Deep rifts over the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East are likely to derail unified actions or statements at the two-day meeting of foreign ministers from the world's 20 largest economies in Atlanta, experts and diplomats told Reuters as the gathering opened on Friday, October 30.

Source: Reuters via Q106

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has arrived in Atlanta to take part in the meeting, AzerNews reported, citing TASS. The Russian government aircraft landed in the capital of the US state of Georgia after a flight from Moscow that bypassed countries considered "unfriendly" by Russia and took 20 hours and 10 minutes, TASS said. The Russian delegation is expected to hold several meetings in the coming hours, including talks with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Source: TASS via AzerNews

The United States, which holds the rotating G20 presidency this year, has not invited South Africa to the ministerial, while Ukraine has also not been invited, Reuters and the Associated Press reported. China is represented by a deputy foreign minister, AP said. Even the traditional G20 family photo has caused headaches, with some European officials now suggesting two separate pictures — one with Lavrov, one without, Reuters reported.

Source: Reuters via Q106; AP via NewsNation Online

This meeting follows the announcement Awaaz Punjab reported on October 26, when the US State Department said Rubio would host the foreign ministers in Atlanta on October 30-31, with India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar expected and a Quad meeting planned on the sidelines. What is new on Friday is the meeting actually opening — and the depth of the disagreement on display before any talks began.

Source: Reuters via Q106

Rubio, who is hosting the gathering, has championed the Pax Silica initiative aimed at uniting G20 countries concerned about China's dominance in rare earths and other critical minerals, Reuters said. A State Department official told reporters on Thursday that the Atlanta meeting would focus on energy and supply chain challenges, seen as crucial to the development of AI, and that four G20 ministerial meetings held this year had achieved some consensus, but more work was needed before the December 14 to 16 leaders' summit in Miami.

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According to the Associated Press, discussions are expected to cover energy and food security, supply chains and freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, the Red Sea, the Black Sea and the South China Sea.

Source: AP via NewsNation Online

US President Donald Trump's recent decisions on Russia, including a deal to buy diesel and waiving some sanctions, could also weigh on discussions, along with Ukraine's problems with its Starshield satellite services, Reuters reported. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said she would call for increased support for Ukraine while pushing for progress on accountability through the Special Tribunal and Claims Commission. "Russia must be accountable," she wrote on X on October 29.

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"With G20 members Russia, China and many middle powers such as Brazil and India trying to navigate US-China strategic competition, you have much more of a split than we've ever had," said Heidi Crebo-Rediker, a former chief economist at the State Department. Some countries may seek to avoid conflict, including Canada, Mexico and India, which are still negotiating trade agreements with the US, one unnamed G20 diplomat told Reuters: "Everyone is trying to keep a low profile."

Source: Reuters via Q106