Russia’s Lavrov Snubbed at G20 as Peace Talks Stall

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov faced sharp criticism at the G20 meetings in Atlanta, where EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas accused him of spreading "lies" about the Ukraine conflict. She said Moscow does not appear ready for peace negotiations. "We were able to address Sergei Lavrov head-on," Kallas told Agence France-Presse on Friday. "Of course, he put forward a lot of lies, a lot of false narratives that we were also able to then rebuke." She added that Russia's actions contradict its words: "July, August, and September have been the deadliest months for civilians in Ukraine. They should show with their deeds that they are ready to negotiate, but they are clearly, clearly not." The talks focused on global economic growth, energy security, and trade. European officials pushed Russia to secure a ceasefire in the Black Sea, a key corridor for agricultural exports. Lavrov made no concessions on Ukraine. At a press conference, he criticized Europeans for their "arrogant boycott" and praised the willingness of US President Donald Trump's administration to engage with Moscow. Plans for a traditional "family photo" of G20 ministers were cancelled after some European officials objected to appearing alongside Lavrov. Moscow has been largely isolated by the West since it invaded Ukraine, and Lavrov remains under international sanctions. UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband said: "We do not engage in that way with the Russians and have not for a number of years." German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said there would be no photo because "there is no normality with Russia." US Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke briefly with Lavrov on the sidelines of the meeting. Lavrov said both sides had a "decent talk." Trump has invited Russian President Vladimir Putin to Florida in December and has eased some sanctions on Moscow. Lavrov's G20 appearance comes ahead of expected negotiations between Moscow, Kyiv, and Washington in November. **Patriot Missile Sale Approved** The Trump administration on Friday approved the sale of 500 Patriot missiles to Ukraine for an estimated $2.1 billion, the State Department said. However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned that deliveries could take years. The approval, which goes to Congress for review, comes after weeks of Ukrainian complaints that its supplies of interceptor missiles were dwindling. The State Department did not say when the weapons could be delivered. Zelenskyy said in a post on X that "deliveries may begin only in a few years." Weapons sales typically take years to fulfill, and two people briefed on the decision said the missiles—which are yet to be manufactured—are not expected to be delivered until the early 2030s. Patriot missiles are among the most important weapons Ukraine has to intercept Russian drones and missiles. Zelenskyy suggested the US and European allies could provide missiles from their current stockpiles, which would later be replenished by the new purchase. "We are asking our American partners to find a solution for the time when there is a real danger and a real need to use PAC-3 interceptors," he said. **Evacuation in Oleshky** People living in the besieged Russian-held city of Oleshky in southern Ukraine were evacuated on Friday as part of a joint relief operation—the first of its kind in four years and eight months of war. The city, on the Russian-occupied side of the Dnipro River, has suffered months of food and medical shortages, leading to warnings of starvation for the few thousand people remaining there, including children. A humanitarian convoy arrived with food and medicine and to evacuate those wishing to leave for Russia or Ukraine. It is unclear how many people chose to evacuate, but US First Lady Melania Trump posted on social media that the convoy could safely evacuate more than 750 people.