On the final day of the G20 foreign ministers’ meeting in South Africa, discussions centered on global conflicts, with the Russia-Ukraine war taking prominence. Diplomats from both wealthy and developing nations also addressed crises in the Middle East and Africa.

The two-day summit in Johannesburg was notable for the absence of a high-level U.S. delegation. South African officials sought to downplay the significance of this, emphasizing that key discussions proceeded with the participation of acting U.S. ambassador Dana Brown.

President Cyril Ramaphosa framed the meeting as an opportunity for serious dialogue on global crises, including armed conflicts, climate change, and economic instability driven by energy and food insecurity. South Africa, the first African nation to lead the G20, will pass the presidency to the United States next year.

After the summit concluded, South African Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola stated that ongoing conflicts in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa are stalling economic progress. He stressed that all nations should adhere to the principles of the U.N. Charter and reaffirmed the need for inclusive peace efforts. These include negotiations on Ukraine, the Israel-Hamas war, and conflicts in Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Lamola confirmed that President Ramaphosa has invited Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for a state visit. He also defended Ukraine’s right to participate in any discussions regarding an end to the war, insisting that peace talks must be inclusive.

During the summit, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov blamed Western nations for prolonging the war in Ukraine. In contrast, British Foreign Secretary David Lammy expressed skepticism about Russia’s willingness to seek peace, stating, “I don’t see an appetite to really get to that peace.” French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot warned that a Ukrainian defeat would embolden larger nations to threaten their smaller neighbors.

The economic repercussions of global conflicts were also highlighted, particularly their impact on Africa. Claver Gatete, a representative of the U.N.’s Economic Commission for Africa, noted that inflation and rising food prices across the continent have been exacerbated by the war in Ukraine.

South Africa is set to host the G20 Leaders’ Summit in November, where heads of state from member nations are expected to convene.