Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has condemned Poland’s invitation to G20 meetings, asserting that it breaches diplomatic norms.
Lavrov’s remarks followed comments from Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski, who stated to reporters in Atlanta that the United States had introduced a motion for Poland to become a permanent member of the G20 and that Warsaw was actively lobbying for this change, according to Reuters.
Sikorski also advocated for a swift ceasefire in the Black Sea to ensure the safe transport of grain from both Ukraine and Russia.
According to Lavrov, such moves violate the principles of diplomacy, particularly multilateral diplomacy, where members of associations like the G20 act based on consensus. “This concerns the agenda and the invitation of new participants,” he remarked during a meeting of foreign ministers from the world’s largest economies.
He further stated that Poland “brings nothing” to the discussions and does not meet the necessary conditions for participation due to its relatively small economy. Lavrov also criticized the portrayal of Poland as a representative of “Eastern Europe,” arguing that the region is already sufficiently represented through NATO and the European Union.
Additionally, he noted that Russia had not faced any pressure regarding Poland’s presence at the G20 meeting, adding, “The Americans simply invited the Polish minister, who came and took the seat that was offered to him.”
