Kallas accuses Lavrov of lying at G20 foreign ministers’ meeting

Key Points:

• Sharp disagreements arose during the G20 foreign ministers' meeting, with EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas accusing Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov of spreading false narratives about the war in Ukraine.
• European officials aimed to increase pressure on Moscow, including efforts to secure a ceasefire in the Black Sea, a vital route for agricultural exports.
• Lavrov was described as "quite provocative" and criticized Europeans for an "arrogant boycott," while praising the Trump administration for its willingness to engage with Moscow.
• The traditional group photo of G20 foreign ministers was canceled after some Europeans objected to being photographed with Lavrov, to avoid diplomatic distractions ahead of the U.S. midterm elections.
• The meeting set the stage for the G20 leaders' summit in Miami in December, with no final declaration expected, only a summary report prepared by the United States; Ukrainian President Zelensky expressed readiness to attend and meet Putin if invited.