Rep. Don Bacon of Nebraska criticized the decision to allow Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to enter the United States for a meeting of G20 foreign ministers in Atlanta.
Lavrov arrived Friday for the gathering, becoming the highest-ranking Russian official to visit the United States since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. His presence drew objections from diplomats attending the meeting and from members of Congress.
Bacon wrote on X on Wednesday that Lavrov should not have been permitted to enter the country. He tied the objection to Russia’s continuing war in Ukraine and attacks on civilian areas.
“As long as Putin is waging war against Ukraine and bombing cities, Russian leaders should not be welcomed in any of these forums. They lead a pariah state.”
Secretary of State Marco Rubio canceled the traditional group photograph of the foreign ministers after European officials objected to standing beside Lavrov and threatened to leave. The photograph usually takes place at the beginning of the summit.
Senators question the invitation
A group of senators from both parties on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee also challenged Lavrov’s participation in a joint letter sent last month. The Republican signers were Mitch McConnell, John Cornyn, Roger Wicker, Jerry Moran, Thom Tillis, John Curtis and Alan Armstrong. The Democratic signers were Sheldon Whitehouse, Michael Bennet, Chris Coons, Richard Blumenthal, Tim Kaine and Ruben Gallego.
The senators said Russian President Vladimir Putin was responsible for beginning the war and argued that permitting him to participate in a G20 meeting in the United States raised concerns about making his government appear legitimate or normal while Russian forces continue attacks against Ukrainian civilian targets.
- Lavrov’s arrival: The Russian foreign minister came to Atlanta for the G20 foreign ministers’ meeting.
- Bacon’s position: The Nebraska representative said Russian leaders should not be welcomed at international forums while the war continues.
- Diplomatic response: Rubio canceled the customary group photograph after European officials objected to appearing with Lavrov.
The G20 is an international forum whose participants include the United States, Russia and South Africa. South Africa did not attend the meeting. Phindile Kunene, a spokesperson for South African Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola, said the country’s absence was not voluntary.
The meeting’s dispute over Lavrov’s attendance places the Nebraska representative’s criticism alongside objections from lawmakers in both parties and diplomats from several countries. Bacon’s statement focused on Russia’s conduct in Ukraine and the question of whether Russian officials should participate in high-level international gatherings hosted in the United States.
