Moscow could not count on a diplomatic triumph at the G-20 summit.
Otherwise Putin would have flown to Bali himself.
In his place, his foreign minister had to try to prevent the worst: Russia being pilloried by the world public for its attack on Ukraine.
In doing so, Lavrov was about as successful as the Russian invading army in Cherson.
“Most” states condemn the war “in the strongest possible terms” and the threat of nuclear weapons as “unacceptable”.
Even if Russia is not explicitly named, it is clear to everyone who is meant.
In the talks held before and in Bali, Lavrov is likely to have learned even more directly than through the final declaration that Russia is increasingly becoming defensive on the diplomatic front.
Moscow can no longer rely on the benevolent support of India and China.
With his war, Putin sent the global economy into a tailspin.
The Indians are also sitting on this sled, but the Chinese are in the front.
They must have let the Kremlin know before the summit that they did not see threats of nuclear bombs as a suitable means of stimulating the business climate.
Xi Jinping wants his back free for the struggle with America
But Beijing doesn't want to completely break the "boundless friendship" with Moscow.
In the struggle with America for world power, China wants to have its back free.
In addition, Xi Jinping undoubtedly understands the need to bring home states that his peers see only as renegade provinces that have gone astray from democracy.
Against this background, the West can certainly be satisfied with the course of the summit meeting.
Not much more was to be expected.
The further course of the war in Ukraine will of course depend on what actions follow the Bali declaration and how much they impress the Kremlin.