The G20 foreign ministers meeting in Johannesburg concluded without consensus on critical issues like climate change, with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio boycotting the event. President Cyril Ramaphosa highlighted rising global threats and the lack of agreement among major powers. The discussions focused on Ukraine, emphasizing the impact of shifting U.S. foreign policy, while South Africa’s leadership received mixed reactions amid support from some European nations.
The recent two-day G20 foreign ministers meeting in Johannesburg concluded without reaching a unified stance on pressing global issues. Hosted by South Africa, the talks highlighted significant divisions among participating nations, particularly regarding topics such as climate change and support for developing countries. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s boycott of the meeting, due to what he described as an “anti-Americanism” agenda, set a contentious tone ahead of the discussions.
South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa directly addressed the lack of agreement among major powers, asserting that the world faces escalating threats from intolerance and conflict. He emphasized the absence of consensus on crucial global challenges among G20 members. The scheduled group photo was canceled unexpectedly, indicating rising tensions among delegates.
Analyst Steven Gruzd noted the difficulty South Africa faced in bringing together ideologically diverse countries for these discussions. Under scrutiny from the U.S. administration over allegations of land grabs, South Africa’s leadership role has been questioned despite receiving support from several European ministers and the presence of Russia and China’s foreign envoys.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi expressed backing for South Africa’s presidency while acknowledging the current turbulent international dynamics. He called for collaborative efforts towards world peace and multilateralism. The Ukraine conflict was a central discussion point, especially following President Trump’s controversial comments that appeared to shift blame onto Ukraine regarding the conflict’s origins.
Retired U.S. diplomat Brooks Spector remarked that Europe was now primarily responsible for supporting Ukraine amid the shifting U.S. stance. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot voiced strong concerns, warning that a Ukrainian surrender could embolden other nations facing aggression from larger neighbors. In his closing remarks, South African Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola described the meeting as a success and highlighted the productive engagements among delegates.
In summary, the G20 foreign ministers meeting in Johannesburg revealed deep divides among nations on critical global issues. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s boycott and President Trump’s remarks on Ukraine underlined the tensions. While South Africa faced criticism and challenges in fostering consensus, supportive statements from other nations highlighted attempts to address global cooperation despite significant ideological differences.
Original Source: www.voanews.com
