Lavrov Arrives in US for G20 Despite Congressional Objections Over Russia’s War in Ukraine

Key Points:

• Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov arrived in the US for a G20 foreign ministers’ meeting in Atlanta on Oct. 30, despite calls from US lawmakers to bar him due to Russia's ongoing war and attacks on Ukrainian civilians.
• Lavrov, under US sanctions since Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine, is expected to criticize Western sanctions and promote Moscow's vision of a multipolar international order during the Oct. 30-31 gathering.
• US lawmakers from both parties condemned Lavrov’s visit, urging the Trump administration to deny diplomatic legitimacy to Russia amid continued civilian casualties in Ukraine, with some senators calling for Putin and other sanctioned officials to be barred from G20 events.
• The G20 meeting, hosted by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, includes foreign ministers from major NATO, European, and global countries but excludes Ukraine and South Africa, reflecting a policy to limit invitations to formal G20 members.
• The visit occurs amid preparations for new US-Ukraine-Russia talks in Abu Dhabi and ahead of the Dec. 14-15 G20 leaders’ summit in Miami, where Putin has been invited but his attendance remains unconfirmed.