Signal to Putin. Why Lavrov fled the G20 summit

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov left the meeting of the heads of diplomatic departments ahead of schedule «Groups of Twenty” (G20)

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He left after the practical obstruction that the foreign ministers of the leading countries of the world arranged for him. Left after the call of the hostess of the meeting, Indonesian Foreign Minister Reno Marsudi – the diplomat at the opening of the meeting called for an end to the war in Ukraine, writes Vitaly Portnikov for Radio. Freedom.

The Bali summit was Sergey Lavrov’s first face-to-face meeting with Western foreign ministers since Russia’s massive invasion of Ukraine. Before the meeting, the head of the Russian Foreign Ministry said that he wanted to see what the West breathes. But after the conference, an irritated Lavrov told reporters that «there is nothing to talk about with the West.”

Observers may be surprised by Lavrov’s emotional reaction. Didn’t know where he was going? Didn’t he understand that the leaders of Western diplomacy would not talk to him, would not be photographed? Maybe the Russian Foreign Minister is just putting on a show for an inexperienced audience?

Lavrov – a walking encyclopedia of atrocities

But I think Lavrov was really offended. It is necessary to understand what kind of world Russian leaders live in. This is the world of their own greatness and cynicism.

Lavrov is really not ready to understand that after a large-scale attack on Ukraine, Russia has crossed all possible «red lines”, primarily in the eyes of public opinion in Western countries. Yes, the reaction of ordinary people to this war is different from the reaction to the attack on Georgia, to the bombings in Syria, to the war in the Donbass.

If I were the Russian president, I would have stayed in the bunker

Yes, perhaps it would be better for everyone if the political elite and society in the West came to their senses already in 2008 and began to fight against the Russian regime. But there is no word in history «if”. In any case, today Lavrov, like any other Russian leader, is a reminder of rocket attacks on peaceful cities, of Bucha, Mariupol, Kremenchug…

Lavrov is a walking encyclopedia of atrocities. How can you talk to him, how can you take pictures with him, how can you have dinner with him? That Western politicians did not do this.

Will Putin take into account Lavrov’s Indonesian experience?

Lavrov, perhaps, until his arrival in Indonesia did not realize what kind of atmosphere he would face in the negotiations. For such a self-confident and ambitious person, another slap in the face was the fact that people who refused to even come with him to a common dinner held a special meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Ye. Another demonstration that the West is working with Chinese leaders, Russian – ignores. Moscow did not dream of such a role in the world.

Therefore, Lavrov practically ran away after his performance at the G20.

He did not listen to Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, who spoke at the summit about Russian crimes and called for a boycott of Russian leaders.

He ignored German Foreign Minister Annalen Burbock, who held Russia responsible for the war and the food crisis. It is hard for the head of the Russian Foreign Ministry to take a hit.

After this escape of Lavrov, the question remains whether Russian President Vladimir Putin will take advantage of the invitation – whether he will come to the meeting of leaders «twenty” in November. After all, it will be more difficult for a Russian president to listen to criticism and face a boycott of his colleagues than for his chief diplomat. Lavrov showed Putin what a summit with his participation might look like. If I were the Russian president, I would have stayed in the bunker.

Published with permission from Radio Liberty/Radio Free Europe, 2101 Connecticut Ave, Washington 20036, USA.

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