Russia accuses US of creating obstacles to its participation in G20 talks
- Foreign Ministry spokeswoman says Russia submitted its delegation list nearly two months ago but learned overnight that logistical support was lacking
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- Foreign Ministry spokeswoman says Russia submitted its delegation list nearly two months ago but learned overnight that logistical support was lacking
By Elena Teslova
MOSCOW (AA) - Russia is preparing to attend the G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Atlanta, Georgia later this month but sees “concerning trends” in US actions that could prevent its full participation, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Wednesday.
Speaking at a press briefing in Moscow, Zakharova said the Russian side submitted its delegation list to the US nearly two months ago but learned overnight that the names had not received the necessary logistical support and confirmation.
"We have been and are continuing to prepare, and our experts are actively working on this," she stressed.
She described the meeting, which is scheduled for Oct. 30-31, as "an important preparatory event" for the G20 Leaders’ Summit on Dec. 14-15 in Doral, Florida, near Miami, where participants were expected to discuss complex issues affecting the global economy, including food supplies, energy security and global supply chains.
"We are observing, to put it mildly, concerning trends that could prevent this scenario from being realized," she said.
Zakharova stressed that Russia had submitted all the necessary documents and information.
"There is no question of us having failed to submit something, complete some paperwork, or provide something to someone," she stressed.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov previously said that no decision had been made on whether Russian President Vladimir Putin would attend the leaders’ summit in Doral in person.
US President Donald Trump has said he would welcome Putin’s participation.
- Russia seeks clarification from Kazakhstan on new entry rules
Turning to Kazakhstan, Zakharova said Russia expects it to provide additional clarification on its new rules for entry permits, which will also affect citizens of Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) member states.
"We respect, of course, the republic’s sovereign right to improve its national migration legislation," she said, adding that Moscow expected clarification on how the new provisions would be applied in light of existing international agreements, including those within the EAEU and other Eurasian migration frameworks.
Such clarification would help inform citizens in a timely manner and facilitate travel, employment, business ties and humanitarian contacts between the two countries, she added.
The Kazakh government previously approved rules introducing electronic entry permits for Russian citizens and nationals of other visa-exempt countries from July 1, 2027. The permits will be free of charge and must be obtained electronically at least 72 hours before crossing the border.
From November 2026 until July 1, 2027, the absence of a permit will not constitute grounds for denying entry, although border officials will inform travelers of the requirement. From July 1, 2027 onwards, the permit will become mandatory.
- Zakharova questions Poland and Lithuania’s response to Ukrainian drone incident
Zakharova also questioned how Poland and Lithuania would respond to a Ukrainian drone that entered their territory, saying Moscow was awaiting reactions from Warsaw and Vilnius.
With irony, she suggested several possible responses to Kyiv, including closing diplomatic missions, expelling Ukrainian diplomats, summoning Ukrainian ambassadors for a formal protest or preparing a package of sanctions against Ukraine.
“We proceed from the fact that simply closing the Ukrainian House here, of course, will not do," she said.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk previously called on Ukrainian authorities to explain how a Ukrainian drone had flown over Polish territory before later exploding in Lithuania.
Lithuanian Defense Minister Robertas Kaunas said on Oct. 18 that the drone, which had triggered an air alert, had been involved in Ukraine’s attack on St. Petersburg. Lithuanian Prime Minister Mindaugas Sinkevicius said the drone, which had taken off from Ukrainian territory, was carrying explosives.
Vilnius and Warsaw have disagreed over the flight path of the drone, which crashed in northern Lithuania. Lithuania maintains that the drone was Ukrainian and had been involved in the attack on St. Petersburg before being diverted by Russian electronic warfare systems and falling in Lithuania. According to the Lithuanian military, it entered Lithuanian airspace from Poland.
Polish media, however, reported that the drone had been launched from Lithuanian territory, approximately 30 kilometers (18.6 miles) from the Polish border.