Lavrov Arrives for G20 Meeting in Atlanta

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov arrived in the United States on October 30 for a G20 foreign ministers’ meeting in Atlanta, where Russia says he will argue against sanctions and promote Moscow’s vision of a multipolar order. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on October 28 that Lavrov would lead the Russian delegation to the meeting, scheduled for October 30-31. His arrival was reported by TASS, Russia’s state news agency. The meeting is being hosted by the United States under its G20 presidency. The Russian Foreign Ministry said Lavrov plans to criticize economic sanctions and other trade restrictions, which it describes as tools of pressure, and to emphasize what it calls the importance of indivisible security. These are Moscow’s stated positions for the gathering; the sources do not establish what Lavrov said once the meeting began. The visit comes amid criticism from some US lawmakers. Republican Rep. Don Bacon called for Lavrov to be barred from the country while Russia continues its war against Ukraine. Democratic Sen. Jeanne Shaheen has also criticized the administration’s approach to Moscow and joined 13 bipartisan senators in urging that...