The meeting follows closely after the summit between Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, which the US has warned could lead to Pyongyang supplying Moscow with munitions for its war in Ukraine, according to CNN…reports Asian Lite News
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi in Moscow on Monday.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia took to their official handle on social media platform ‘X’ to post, “Foreign Ministers Sergey Lavrov and Wang Yi meet in Moscow #RussiaChina.”
Wang arrived in Russia on September 18 and will conclude his visit on September 21, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
Foreign Minister Yi is expected to discuss the Ukraine conflict with his Russian counterpart Lavrov, CNN reported.
They are also expected to hold discussions on “a wide range of bilateral cooperation issues,” which include a “detailed exchange of views on issues related to a settlement in Ukraine”, the Russian Foreign Ministry informed through a statement last week.
The meeting follows closely after the summit between Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, which the US has warned could lead to Pyongyang supplying Moscow with munitions for its war in Ukraine, according to CNN.
Lavrov said Moscow wants to develop “equal and fair cooperation” with North Korea despite sanctions imposed on Pyongyang by the UN Security Council, Al Jazeera reported on Sunday. (ANI)
United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken at the first session of the G20 Foreign Ministers' Meeting, in New Delhi on Thursday. (ANI Photo)
Both the leaders met on the sidelines of the G20 foreign ministers meeting.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Thursday met Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov briefly during which he is learnt to have “pressurised” the Russian minister on Ukraine, according to reports.
Both the leaders met on the sidelines of the G20 foreign ministers meeting. This was the first highest level one-on-one contact between the two nations since the Russia-Ukraine war broke out a year ago.
South Africa Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor with Saudi Arabia Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud, United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken and United Kingdom Foreign Secretary James Cleverly at the first session of the G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, in New Delhi on Thursday. Russian Foregn Minister Sergey lavrov can also be seen on the extreme left. (ANI Photo)
Incidentally, the meeting took place a day after Blinken had said that he had no plans to either meet his Chinese or Russian counterparts, reports said.
Reports further said that Blinken is learnt to have put across the message that Russia should engage with Ukraine and adhere to its demands.
The US has expressed optimism that Russia will reverse its decision on Ukraine and engage with it diplomatically, which would lead towards peace.
However, reports quoting sources said that the brief encounter between Blinken and Lavrov may not exactly change the situation in the near future.
Meanwhile, Russian spokesperson Maria Zarkhova, while referring to the meeting between the two leaders, said: “US Secretary of State Antony Blinken asked for ‘contact’ with foreign minister Lavrov, during the second session of G20 meet. They had ‘contact’, there were no talks or a full-fledged meeting.”
India on Wednesday cleared its stand on the Russia-Ukraine conflict, reaffirming Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s statement that “this isn’t an era of war.”
Ahead of the G20 Foreign Minister’s Meeting, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, European Union Foreign Policy chief Josep Borrell and Nigeria’s Foreign Minister Geoffrey Onyeama.
“Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov holds a meeting with Minister of External Affairs of the Republic of India Dr Subrahmanyam Jaishankar,” tweeted the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia. Jaishankar will chair two sessions at the foreign ministers’ meeting on Thursday.
“The first session will focus on multilateralism, and issues related to food and energy. The second session will focus on four or five key issues including new and emerging threats including counter-terrorism and narcotics, global skill mapping, and focus on global talent pools,” said Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra.
Meanwhile, Jaishankar said the conversation with Borell focused on the G20 agenda and the Ukraine conflict.
“Pleased to meet EU HRVP @JosepBorrellF before the #G20FMM tomorrow. Our conversation focused on the G20 agenda and the Ukraine conflict. Appreciated the steady growth of India-EU cooperation,” tweeted Jaishankar.
India on Wednesday cleared its stand on the Russia-Ukraine conflict, reaffirming Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s statement that “this isn’t an era of war.”
Speaking at a special briefing on G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra said, “India’s position on the Russia-Ukraine conflict is that ‘This isn’t an era of war’. Dialogue and diplomacy are the way forward. The agenda is for the foreign ministers to discuss in the meet.”
He said the Russia-Ukraine conflict will be an important point of discussion when the foreign ministers from around the world meet during Thursday’s Group of 20 (G20) gathering in New Delhi.
“Given the developing situation of Russia-Ukraine, naturally, it’ll be an important point of discussion during the Foreign Ministers Meeting. Foreign ministers will be focusing on the Russia-Ukraine situation, it’ll be important to what they come out with, what understanding is developed,” said Kwatra.
He further added, “Issues of the impact of the Russia-Ukraine conflict on the world including economic impact and impact on development will also be focused upon in the meeting.”
Jaishankar also met Nigeria’s Foreign Minister Geoffrey Onyeama and underlined India’s strong commitment to the Global South and the interests of the African Union.
He also took up the MV Heroic Idun issue and pressed for the early repatriation of crew members.
“Good to meet FM @GeoffreyOnyeama of Nigeria this afternoon. Underlined India’s strong commitment to the Global South and the interests of the African Union. Noted recent developments in our bilateral cooperation, especially in educational exchanges. Welcomed direct flights between our two countries.
Took up the MV Heroic Idun issue and pressed for early repatriation of crew members,” tweeted Jaishankar.
Since August this year, 16 Indian sailors aboard oil tanker MT Heroic Idun have been in detention, first in Equatorial Guinea and now in Nigeria, for alleged oil theft, among other charges. (ANI)
