JOHANNESBURG (AP) — Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov arrived in South Africa on Thursday for a two-day meeting of the Group of 20 (G20) nations. During this conference, leading diplomats from Europe are anticipated to reaffirm their commitment to Ukraine, although U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio will be notably absent.

Lavrov’s visit to Johannesburg for the G20 foreign ministers’ gathering follows closely on the heels of historic bilateral discussions between the United States and Russia aimed at resolving the ongoing war in Ukraine. These discussions excluded European allies and Ukraine, raising tensions within the Western bloc.

U.S. President Donald Trump further unsettled the situation by criticizing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and incorrectly attributing the war’s causes to Ukraine itself, coinciding with the conflict’s third anniversary approaching next week.

Rubio opted out of the G20 meeting due to growing tensions with South Africa, particularly over policies the Trump administration has labeled as anti-American. Instead, Acting Ambassador to South Africa Dana Brown will represent the U.S.

The G20 comprises 19 of the world’s leading economies along with the European Union. Notable figures attending on Thursday include EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

South Africa, which currently holds the G20 presidency, aims to achieve progress on pressing issues affecting developing nations, including debt relief and climate change. According to the agenda, one of the initial sessions will focus on the current global geopolitical landscape.

Countries like Britain, France, Germany, and the EU have affirmed ongoing support for Ukraine while condemning Russian aggression. They are also interested in participating in any ceasefire discussions. The G20 gathering in South Africa presents a platform for European nations to collectively voice their stance on the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the peace process despite internal divisions.

The G20 aims to unite countries to foster global economic development and stability. However, reaching a consensus is often challenging due to the varied interests of the U.S., Europe, Russia, and China.

Rubio’s decision to boycott this meeting, along with his commitment to skip the main G20 summit scheduled for November in South Africa, raises concerns about diminishing the group’s effectiveness. In a similar vein, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has announced his absence from an upcoming G20 finance ministers meeting.

The Trump administration recently imposed an executive order that eliminated all U.S. aid and assistance to South Africa, citing the country’s anti-American posture as justification. This order also condemned South Africa’s accusation of genocide against Israel in Gaza before the UN’s highest court, interpreting it as tacit support for Hamas, and referenced South Africa’s ties to Iran and the Communist Party of China.

Rubio has dismissed South Africa’s G20 theme, “solidarity, equality, and sustainability,” as a problematic focus. On social media platform X, he stated, “In other words: DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) and climate change. My duty is to advance America’s national interests, not squander taxpayer funds or endorse anti-Americanism.”

South African authorities have attempted to minimize speculation about Rubio’s absence affecting its G20 presidency. Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola mentioned prior to the meeting in Johannesburg that there was “not a complete boycott of South Africa’s G20″ by the U.S.

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Associated Press journalist Gerald Imray contributed to this report from Cape Town, South Africa.