Black Sea Grain Flows at Center of G20 Minister Talks

Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski urged a quick halt to fighting in the Black Sea on Friday, saying it would clear the way for grain to move from both Ukraine and Russia to buyers abroad.

Speaking to reporters at a two-day gathering of foreign ministers from the Group of 20 major economies in Atlanta, Sikorski said, "I spoke in favor of doing something quickly because the people of the Global South need this grain." He was invited to the meeting by the United States, which holds the rotating presidency of the G20 this year. Sikorski said Ukraine must be part of any arrangement to end Russia's invasion, now in its fifth year, and that Europe also holds leverage and should take part in those discussions.

The Polish minister also linked any future Russian energy sales to Europe with the settlement of the war. He called for a "fair end" to the conflict before Russia is permitted to sell its energy products again to Europe, which was formerly its most lucrative market.

Separately, the United States has proposed that Poland become a full G20 member, comparable to Germany or France, which sit at the table through the European Union. Sikorski said he welcomed the push and raised the matter in bilateral talks with several G20 member countries in Atlanta. Western officials said Poland's accession could take years, pointing to Russian opposition and the G20 requirement that decisions be made by consensus.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told reporters that including Poland in G20 meetings was counterproductive and departed from diplomatic practice. "Of course, this violates the principles of diplomacy, and especially multilateral diplomacy, when members of associations such as the G20 work on the basis of consensus," Lavrov said, according to Russian news agencies.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, speaking at a reception for the ministers at Atlanta's Georgia Aquarium, said Poland deserved full membership. "President (Donald) Trump believes their economic success and growing global influence is exactly what the G20 needs to tackle the major economic challenges we all face," Rubio said.

Britain, which will hold the G20 presidency next year, has already invited Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk to the 2027 leaders summit in Manchester, England, Sikorski said.