G20 Foreign Ministers close without consensus

Og20 Foreign Ministers ended today two days of negotiations without reaching a consensus on critical issues of global security, with the Russian war against Ukraine influencing the outcome.

The differences, especially with regard to Russia’s war against Ukraine, visibly overshadowed the beginning of the G20 meeting [group of the 20 largest economies in the world] in Atlanta, USA, and also influenced its outcome.

In view of this, the G20 did not issue a joint communiqué. Instead, a statement by the presidency — presented by the U.S. Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, after the end of the meetings — was released, which summarizes the discussions held.

That statement did not mention any agreements reached. Instead, he mentioned a list of priorities — ranging from energy and food security to freedom of navigation — that G20 members considered important to be addressed.

“ I will not pretend today that we are close to finding universally accepted solutions to these problems,” Rubio told journalists at a press conference that marked the closure of meetings.

“But,” he added, “I believe that among the G20 members represented here, there are countries that are working together to solve some of these challenges, especially with regard to supply chains and critical minerals.”.

Rubio had stated that the first day of the session was “very productive”. Today, he conducted parallel meetings with his counterparts from Australia, India and Japan before presiding over the final G20 event, which focused on freedom of navigation in the Strait of Ormuz and the Red, Black and South China seas.

“ I made it clear to our partners that safe supply chains are essential for growth,” said Rubio in a social network publication X.

“ Critical trade routes, including Ormuz Strait and Bab al-Mandab Strait, need to remain safe and open to trade. And we must continue to strengthen and expand the supply chains of critical minerals to protect our future,” he added.

In a reception to G20 participants on Friday night, Rubio was optimistic: “I believe that together we are delineating a vibrant, dynamic and bold economic future — a future that will open new horizons for the whole world.”.

The traditional group photography was canceled.