Rubio urges G20 unity as wars complicate Atlanta meeting

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged G20 foreign ministers to coordinate responses to global crises at a meeting in Atlanta on October 30, as disputes over Russia’s participation and wars in Ukraine and the Middle East complicated efforts to reach agreement. In opening remarks, Rubio cited threats to energy and food supplies, trade and freedom of navigation. He called on ministers to protect shared interests and work together on practical responses, linking cooperation to geopolitical stability and economic prosperity. The two-day meeting was expected to conclude without a joint declaration. Western officials said ministers anticipated issuing a chairs’ statement, while efforts to develop a declaration for G20 leaders to consider at their December summit would continue. That leaders’ outcome remains separate from the expected result of the ministerial meeting. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov’s attendance drew objections from some participants. A traditional G20 family photograph was omitted from Rubio’s official schedule after European officials objected to appearing in a photograph with Lavrov, according to officials. A Western diplomat said a third of members...