A recent decision by the United States to permit Ukraine to fire long-range missiles deeper inside Russian territory has added a layer of complexity to potential diplomatic relations between Western nations and Russia. This development comes as numerous world leaders convene for discussions this week.
Many Western leaders interpreted Sunday's decision as a strategic move to bolster Ukraine's position in anticipation of a shift in American leadership, particularly with President-elect Donald Trump expressing skepticism towards ongoing US support. However, this decision has also introduced challenges for leaders attending G20 summits as they navigate the intricate geopolitical landscape of the bloc.
The change in strategy, which had been under consideration by President Joe Biden for several months, led to a deliberate avoidance of Sergey Lavrov, Russia's foreign affairs minister, who is representing Russian President Vladimir Putin at the summit in Rio. Consequently, Biden and Lavrov did not appear in photographs alongside other world leaders due to their conflicting schedules.
The impending Trump administration loomed over discussions surrounding the Ukraine conflict at the summit, with leaders keenly aware of Trump's stance on the war but uncertain about how it will translate into policy once he assumes office. There is ambiguity regarding whether Trump will uphold Biden's decision to grant Ukraine long-range missile capabilities, a move that NATO leaders had been advocating for an extended period. Trump's incoming national security adviser, Florida Rep. Mike Waltz, expressed reservations about the decision in a recent interview.
