The G20 meeting in South Africa convened under an atmosphere of discord, with world leaders struggling to find common ground on pressing global issues such as rising intolerance, armed conflicts, and geopolitical tensions. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa acknowledged these challenges in his opening address, stating that the major powers, including the G20, lacked consensus on how to address these concerns effectively.
The divisions were evident throughout the summit, with even a planned group photo unexpectedly canceled at the last minute, without any official explanation. Analysts like Steven Gruzd of the South African Institute of International Affairs noted that South Africa faced a particularly difficult task in bringing together countries with vastly differing ideological perspectives.
Adding to the complexity of the gathering, South Africa has been under scrutiny from the new U.S. administration, which has accused the country of land grabs a claim the South African government firmly denies. These tensions led President Donald Trump to cut financial assistance to South Africa, further straining diplomatic relations. The U.S. was notably represented by its embassy’s Charge d’Affaires Dana Brown, as Washington opted not to send a higher-level delegation. Requests for an interview with Brown were declined.
Despite these tensions, South Africa received strong backing from several European nations, as well as key allies like Russia and China. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi voiced his country’s support for South Africa’s G20 presidency, emphasizing China’s commitment to world peace, security, and multilateralism. He acknowledged the current international climate as one of “transformation and turbulence” and pledged China’s cooperation with all parties to navigate these challenges.
One of the most contentious topics during the meeting was the ongoing war in Ukraine. The discussions followed President Trump’s controversial comments that upended U.S. policy on the conflict, blaming Ukraine for Russia’s 2022 invasion and labeling Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as a “dictator.” Retired U.S. diplomat Brooks Spector noted that Trump’s stance had effectively ended the Western consensus on Ukraine, shifting the burden of support to European nations.
European leaders rallied behind Ukraine in response. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot warned that allowing Ukraine to capitulate would set a dangerous precedent for smaller nations facing aggression from powerful neighbors. He questioned whether the world was prepared to accept such a reality.
Despite these significant divides, South African Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola struck an optimistic tone in his closing remarks, describing the talks as “productive.” While no major agreements were reached, the summit provided a platform for dialogue amid a rapidly shifting global landscape.
