Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will lead the Russian delegation at the G20 Foreign Ministers Meeting in Atlanta this week, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said on Oct. 28, in the latest sign of a thaw in ties between Moscow and Washington.
Zakharova said the Russian delegation will use the two-day meeting, held from Oct. 30 to Oct. 31, to "promote Russian ideas, aimed at strengthening the foundations of a multipolar world."
The visit comes amid preparations for trilateral talks between Ukraine, Russia and the U.S. in Abu Dhabi in November, part of Washington's push to revive peace negotiations. It also coincides with news that several tankers carrying Russian diesel are already heading to New York, after U.S. President Donald Trump announced a diesel deal with Moscow on Oct. 9.
Several Ukrainian and U.S. officials familiar with the matter told the Kyiv Independent that Trump may also be considering further sanctions relief for Russia and more deals, signaling a continued thaw in Russia-U.S. ties.
Lavrov has been under U.S. sanctions since 2022, when Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The Kyiv Independent has sought comment from the U.S. State Department about Lavrov's visit.
"Not everyone in Washington is pleased with the planned visit of the Russian delegation," Zakharova said, pointing to difficulties Russian officials have traveling abroad. Nonetheless, Lavrov and the delegation are set to fly in the next 24 hours, as most issues were resolved "literally at the last minute," she added.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- Lavrov has been under U.S. sanctions since 2022, so his travel to Atlanta for the G20 marks a notable step in US-Russia engagement.
- The visit follows Trump's diesel deal with Moscow and precedes planned trilateral talks in Abu Dhabi, feeding into broader moves toward negotiations on Ukraine.
- Ukrainian and U.S. officials say further sanctions relief and new deals may be under consideration.
Background
Russia-US relations collapsed after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, which led to U.S. sanctions including those on Lavrov. The G20 is a forum of major economies that has continued to host Russian officials despite the war. Under Trump, Washington has pushed to revive peace negotiations, with trilateral talks between Ukraine, Russia and the U.S. planned for November.
Key Perspectives
Maria Zakharova, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson: says the delegation will use the G20 meeting to "promote Russian ideas, aimed at strengthening the foundations of a multipolar world," and that "not everyone in Washington is pleased with the planned visit."
Ukrainian and U.S. officials familiar with the matter: told the Kyiv Independent that Trump may consider further sanctions relief for Russia and additional deals.
What to Watch
- Whether Lavrov's delegation travels as planned in the next 24 hours and how Washington handles his sanctioned status.
- The trilateral talks between Ukraine, Russia and the U.S. planned for November in Abu Dhabi.
- Whether further sanctions relief or new US-Russia deals follow, and how allies respond.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 10 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedZakharova said the delegation would use the meeting to “promote Russian ideas, aimed at strengthening the foundations of a multipolar world.”Kyiv Independent: “Zakharova said the Russian delegation will use the two-day meeting, held from Oct. 30 to Oct. 31, to "promote Russian ideas, aimed at strengthening the foundations of a multipolar world."”
- SupportedZakharova said, “Not everyone in Washington is pleased with the planned visit of the Russian delegation.”Kyiv Independent: “"Not everyone in Washington is pleased with the planned visit of the Russian delegation," said Zakharova”
- SupportedZakharova said the issues were resolved “literally at the last minute.”Kyiv Independent: “as most issues were resolved "literally at the last minute," added Zakharova.”
- SupportedLavrov is to attend the G20 ministers meeting in Atlanta amid warming US-Russia ties.Kyiv Independent: “Lavrov to travel to US for G20 meeting amid warming Washington-Moscow ties.”
- Partly supportedLavrov’s visit is the latest sign of a thaw between Moscow and Washington.Kyiv Independent: “Trump may also be considering further sanctions relief for Russia and more deals , several Ukrainian and U.S. officials familiar with the matter told the Kyiv Independent, signaling continued thaw in Russia-U.S. ties.”
- SupportedZakharova said on Oct. 28 that Lavrov will lead Russia’s delegation at the G20 Foreign Ministers Meeting in Atlanta this week.Kyiv Independent: “Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will lead the Russian delegation at the G20 Foreign Ministers Meeting in Atlanta this week, said Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova on Oct. 28.”
- SupportedThe meeting is scheduled for Oct. 30 to Oct. 31 and lasts two days.Kyiv Independent: “Zakharova said the Russian delegation will use the two-day meeting, held from Oct. 30 to Oct. 31”
- SupportedMoscow says Lavrov and the delegation are set to fly within 24 hours.Kyiv Independent: “Nonetheless, Lavrov and the delegation are set to fly in the next 24 hours as most issues were resolved”
- SupportedPreparations are under way for trilateral Ukraine-Russia-US talks in Abu Dhabi in November.Kyiv Independent: “The news comes amid preparations for trilateral talks between Ukraine, Russia, and the U.S. in Abu Dhabi in November”
- SupportedSeveral tankers carrying Russian diesel are heading to New York after Trump announced a diesel deal with Moscow on Oct. 9.Kyiv Independent: “It also coincides with news of several tankers carrying Russian diesel already heading to New York after U.S. President Donald Trump announced a diesel deal with Moscow on Oct. 9.”
- SupportedSeveral Ukrainian and U.S. officials familiar with the matter told the Kyiv Independent that Trump may be considering further sanctions relief for Russia and more deals.Kyiv Independent: “Trump may also be considering further sanctions relief for Russia and more deals , several Ukrainian and U.S. officials familiar with the matter told the Kyiv Independent”
- Partly supportedZakharova pointed to difficulties Russian officials face when traveling abroad.Kyiv Independent: “said Zakharova, pointing out supposed difficulties Russian officials have traveling abroad.”