At the G20 foreign ministers summit in Brazil, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that he had not engaged in direct talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov during the gathering. The comment was reported by the Russian state news agency TASS. Blinken explained on the sidelines of the Rio de Janeiro event that while he had not had a one-on-one meeting with Lavrov, he had listened to Lavrov speak at various meetings, and he noted that Lavrov, along with many others, had heard him speak as well, underscoring the didactic and reciprocal nature of diplomatic exchanges during high-level multilateral forums.
Earlier, Lavrov had conveyed warm regards from President Vladimir Putin to Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, signaling an official gesture of goodwill amid the ongoing dialogues surrounding the summit. The exchange of greetings reflected the formal courtesies that often accompany international gatherings, even when substantive negotiations are complicated by broader geopolitical pressures.
As journalists observed, the Brazil stopover for discussions with the Brazilian leadership faced potential complications due to fuel security concerns tied to sanctions. In particular, the host nation’s efforts to keep the talks on track were highlighted as pivotal in ensuring that essential topics could be addressed despite the logistical hurdles. The minister acknowledged the host country’s actions and its determination to resolve the issue, illustrating how operational realities can shape the course of diplomatic engagements at major summits.
Meanwhile, Lavrov and Mauro Vieira, Brazil’s foreign minister, carried on negotiations on the sidelines of the G20 foreign ministers meeting. These engagements underscored the ongoing routine of ministerial diplomacy where bilateral channels are maintained alongside multilateral discussions, with the aim of sustaining dialogue even when broader tensions are present. The exchanges between Moscow and Brasilia during the event demonstrated the careful balancing act diplomats undertake to advance their respective governments’ positions while contributing to the overall process of international cooperation.