G20 foreign ministers meeting with Lavrov and Wadephul in Atlanta

The foreign ministers of the G20 countries meet in Atlanta under the chairmanship of US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul is taking part in the discussions on behalf of Germany. Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov traveled to the USA on behalf of Russia.

The two-day meeting in the state of Georgia could be something of a dress rehearsal when dealing with Russia for the G20 summit of heads of state and government on December 14th and 15th in Miami. The USA also invited Russian President Putin. Unlike Putin, Lavrov has recently been a regular guest at G20 meetings.

No joint statement expected

Starting today, the foreign ministers want to talk about, among other things, the wars in Iran and Ukraine. Wadephul had previously appealed to Russia and Iran to open trade routes - including the Strait of Hormuz in the Gulf region. According to Moscow, Lavrov wants to press for a lifting of the sanctions against Russia in Atlanta.

At the end of the meeting, a statement from the US presidency is expected - but due to the different views, no joint statement, as diplomatic circles said. In addition to Germany, the USA and Russia, the G20 group includes China, India and Japan, among others.

Discussion about “family photo”

The question had already arisen in advance whether there would be a joint photo of Wadephul and Lavrov. Politicians such as Vice Chancellor and Federal Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil had recently avoided similar photos. However, Wadephul said the important thing was not the photo but what was discussed with each other.

"There is no normality between Germany and Russia because Russia continues to attack Ukraine, because Russia continues to endanger Europe's security," emphasized the CDU politician before the summit began. “Germany and Russia represent fundamentally different positions,” Wadephul continued. He will express this at the meeting. "If you don't talk to each other, you can't convey your own positions - and that's the core of diplomacy," he said.