Russia Urges South Africa to Actively Participate in G20

Kremlin says US has arbitrarily blocked South Africa from G20 work

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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The Kremlin has called for South Africa to play an active role in the G20 group, stating that the US has arbitrarily blocked Pretoria's participation in the platform's work. Russia believes South Africa should be allowed to fully engage with the G20, despite the US, which is hosting the summit this year, preventing the country from doing so.

Why it matters

The G20 is a crucial global forum for discussing economic and political issues, and Russia sees South Africa's participation as important. The US blocking of South Africa's involvement raises questions about the fairness and inclusivity of the G20 process, particularly as the group aims to represent the world's major economies.

The details

According to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, Russia believes South Africa should actively participate in the G20 work. However, the US, which is hosting the G20 summit in 2026, has arbitrarily blocked South Africa's participation in the platform. In response, South Africa has paused its work in the G20 this year, though it expects to resume full participation when the UK takes over the chairmanship. Meanwhile, Washington is promoting Poland as a replacement for South Africa in the G20.

  • The US has blocked South Africa's participation in the G20 since December 2025.
  • South Africa paused its work in the G20 in 2026.
  • South Africa expects to resume full G20 participation under the UK's chairmanship.

The players

Dmitry Peskov

Kremlin spokesman who stated that Russia believes South Africa should actively participate in the G20.

Vladimir Putin

Russian President who held a telephone conversation with his South African counterpart Cyril Ramaphosa, emphasizing the importance of cooperating through the BRICS and G20 platforms.

Cyril Ramaphosa

South African President who held a telephone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, emphasizing the importance of cooperating through the BRICS and G20 platforms.

United States

The country hosting the G20 summit in 2026, which has arbitrarily blocked South Africa's participation in the platform's work.

Poland

The country that Washington is promoting as a replacement for South Africa in the G20.

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What they’re saying

“We believe South Africa should participate and play an active role.”

— Dmitry Peskov, Kremlin Spokesman (TASS)

What’s next

South Africa expects to resume full participation in the G20 under the UK's chairmanship, after pausing its work in the group in 2026 due to the US blocking its involvement.

The takeaway

The dispute over South Africa's participation in the G20 highlights the geopolitical tensions and power dynamics within the group, raising concerns about the fairness and inclusivity of the platform. Russia's support for South Africa's involvement underscores the country's efforts to counter Western dominance in global affairs.