Biden's G20 Absence Highlights Western Disarray

At the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro, US President Joe Biden missed the traditional 'family photo' due to logistical issues rather than in protest against Russian representation. Despite this, Biden reiterated strong support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, urging other G20 leaders to increase pressure on Hamas. Biden's absence, along with Canadian and Italian leaders, highlighted Western disarray, allowing Chinese President Xi Jinping to take a prominent position in the summit. Concurrently, Biden's decision to allow Ukraine to use US long-range missiles inside Russia has been met with mixed reactions in Washington, with some lawmakers considering it a 'too little, too late' approach amid increasing Russian aggression. Meanwhile, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer engaged in a nuanced meeting with Xi, emphasizing the need for a strong UK-China relationship while addressing contentious issues.