Russia's FM cancels visits to Argentina and Cuba

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has cancelled his visits to Argentina and Cuba because of engagements linked to the recently formed Russian government.

The Russian foreign ministry said, owing to a series of events related to the newly formed government that is scheduled to take place, the visits will not materialise on the days they were planned.

Russia will now be represented by a deputy foreign minister at the upcoming G20 foreign ministers' meeting in Buenos Aires, scheduled to take place on May 20-21, Sputnik reported.

Sergey Lavrov had earlier planned the meetings with Argentine President Mauricio Macri and Foreign Minister Jorge Faurie on the sidelines of the of G20 foreign ministers, Argentina's Ambassador to Russia Ricardo Lagorio said.

G20 leaders' summit will take place as part of the Sherpa Track. It is to be hosted by Argentina at the end of 2018.

The G20 is made up of 19 countries and the European Union. The 19 countries are Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Germany, France, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the United States.