The G20 meeting of foreign ministers commenced in Johannesburg, South Africa, recently with discussions largely dominated by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. British Foreign Secretary David Lammy used the venue to vocally criticise Russia's actions and foreign minister Sergey Lavrov's stance. Lammy expressed that Russia had “learned nothing” from its “colonial failures and wars,” and underscored the importance of peace that respects Ukraine’s sovereignty.
Speaking at the summit, Lammy articulated his hope for empathy towards the victims of the Ukraine conflict, but noted that Lavrov “left his seat” before he had a chance to address the assembly. The British foreign secretary lamented the absence of dialogue surrounding the need for a sustainable and equitable peace, instead asserting that Lavrov's rhetoric was reminiscent of imperialist logic. “We should not be surprised, but neither should we be fooled,” Lammy stated, conveying a sense of urgency regarding the need for a resolution to the ongoing aggression.
The meeting's backdrop was marked by ongoing discussions between Washington and Moscow concerning peace negotiations in Ukraine, although US Secretary of State Marco Rubio was absent, reflective of the current diplomatic tensions between South Africa and the United States. The political climate continues to be complicated by differing international perspectives on the conflict.
Lammy maintained that in order for peace to be meaningful, it should align with the UN Charter, insisting that Russia must respect Ukraine’s territorial integrity. He declared, “If Putin is serious about a lasting peace, it means finding a way forward which respects Ukraine’s sovereignty and the UN Charter which provides credible security guarantees.”
However, Lavrov's absence during Lammy's speech was not the first occasion on which he expressed disdain towards the Labour minister; there had been past instances, such as during a United Nations assembly last year where Lavrov was reportedly preoccupied with his mobile phone while Lammy spoke.
In a related development, it appears that Lammy’s speech faced a communication mishap when the G20 YouTube channel was not broadcasting live, disrupting anticipated coverage of his remarks. An apology was later issued, clarifying that the audio-visual equipment had not been operational at the start of the session.
As the G20 meeting progressed, diplomatic analysts observed that Lammy's declarations could be seen as a measuring stick of the UK's position regarding Russia's behaviour, framing the ongoing crisis within a historical context of colonialism and imperialism. The discussions at this summit underline the complexity and weight of international relations currently strained by the Ukraine conflict.
Source: Noah Wire Services