In a significant diplomatic announcement, Maria Zakharova, the spokesperson for Russia’s Foreign Ministry, confirmed that Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will lead the Russian delegation at the G20 summit. Lavrov will be representing President Vladimir Putin, who will not be attending the event. The directive comes directly from Putin, corroborated by a previous statement from Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov.
The G20 summit is scheduled to be held in New Delhi, India, from September 9-10. This year, India holds the rotating presidency of the G20, having assumed the role since December 1, 2022. The summit is drawing significant international attention, with invites sent out to all G20 country leaders and the heads of nine additional countries including Bangladesh, Egypt, Spain, Mauritius, Nigeria, Netherlands, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, and Singapore.
This move comes at a time when international cooperation on issues like climate change, economic development, and global security is crucial. Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s presence at the summit underscores Russia’s commitment to active participation in international forums and highlights the importance Russia places on its relations with G20 countries and beyond.
The summit is expected to be a pivotal moment for international diplomacy, focusing on a myriad of issues that require global attention. Russia’s decision to send its Foreign Minister in place of the President will undoubtedly be a topic of interest, showcasing the complex and evolving landscape of international relations in 2023.
