G20 ministers meet as Ukraine, Iran divide members

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is scheduled to host G20 foreign ministers in Atlanta on Friday for talks overshadowed by the war in Ukraine, conflict with Iran and higher energy prices.

The meeting brings together ministers from Group of 20 economies, including Russia's Sergei Lavrov, days before US midterm elections and ahead of a December leaders' summit in Miami at President Donald Trump's Doral resort. Few breakthroughs are expected because members remain divided over Moscow's war in Ukraine and the fallout from conflict with Iran.

A diplomatic source said the G20 was no longer a forum where foreign ministers could reach agreement on a statement, and expected the United States to issue a chair's summary instead of a final declaration. A US State Department official said the Atlanta talks would cover energy access, supply chains, geopolitical tensions and keeping sea lanes open to commerce.

Energy prices have risen since US-Israel strikes on Iran from late February triggered Tehran's blockage of the Strait of Hormuz, a key oil and gas route. Alisha Chhangani of the Atlantic Council said Washington would likely seek agreement on freedom of navigation in Hormuz and beyond, but China objected to similar wording at an earlier finance ministers' meeting.

China's top diplomat Wang Yi will not attend and is sending his deputy, the State Department said. Rubio is also due to cross paths with Lavrov, who Russian state media said had arrived in Atlanta. The meeting comes before planned November negotiations involving Moscow, Kyiv and Washington.