Lavrov says Poland's G20 invitation breaks diplomatic rules as Rubio praises Warsaw

Rubio backs Poland's role

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told the G20 foreign ministers' meeting in Atlanta that Poland's economic success and its growing influence internationally are what the group needs to meet its most pressing economic challenges. He said President Donald Trump shares that view. Rubio stated that Poland was taking part as a full participant and would work in the group's sessions for the whole week. The United States holds the G20 presidency this year and has invited Poland to the leaders' summit in Miami. The foreign ministers' meeting began on Friday, 30 October and ends on Saturday, 31 October.

Lavrov rejects Poland's presence

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov criticised Poland's presence at the Atlanta meeting, speaking on the sidelines on Friday, 30 October. He told Russian media that the invitation broke the rules of diplomacy, especially multilateral diplomacy, in which G20 members work by consensus. He said the breach concerned both the meeting agenda and the practice of inviting new participants. Lavrov described the invitation as unproductive and argued that Poland contributes nothing to the meeting. He said Poland's economy is not large enough to qualify for the group and that NATO and EU members already hold sufficient seats in it. Lavrov also claimed Moscow had not been pressured over Poland's invitation, saying Washington simply invited Poland's foreign minister, Radoslaw Sikorski, who arrived and took the seat reserved for him.

Poland's status and future invitations

Poland attends the G20 as a full participant on a special invitation from Washington, but this arrangement does not give Poland permanent membership of the group. Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski, who is at the Atlanta meeting, said the United Kingdom has already invited Poland to take part in next year's G20 work. Warsaw is also seeking similar invitations from the Korean and Mexican presidencies. Sikorski said he does not expect enthusiasm from Russia over these efforts.