G20 foreign ministers' family photo cancelled in Atlanta over Lavrov
US hosts cancelled the G20 foreign ministers' group photo in Atlanta after European diplomats refused to be pictured with Russia's Sergei Lavrov.
The story in focus
The United States cancelled a planned G20 foreign ministers' group photo in Atlanta after European diplomats, including the UK, refused to be photographed with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. The US said it wanted to avoid a diplomatic distraction and keep focus on substantive talks. The meeting continues.
- US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is hosting the G20 Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Atlanta.
- Two officials confirmed the Friday morning family photo was cancelled.
- A diplomatic source said the UK was among countries refusing to participate.
- The UK cited its longstanding policy against direct bilateral engagement with Russian ministers since the Ukraine invasion.
- A US official said the photo was dropped to avoid a diplomatic distraction.
Decision and scope
The US hosts of the G20 Foreign Ministers' Meeting cancelled the traditional group photograph scheduled for Friday morning in Atlanta, according to two officials who confirmed the decision. The photo would normally have included representatives of all attending nations.
A US official said the picture was dropped after it became clear some delegations were unwilling to take part jointly, and that Washington chose to forgo the ceremonial opportunity so it would not become a distraction. The meeting itself, chaired by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, proceeded.
European objections
A diplomatic source said the UK was among the countries that refused to appear alongside Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. A British official said London has a longstanding policy against direct bilateral engagement with Russian ministers since the invasion of Ukraine and would not change it.
Poland's foreign minister, Radosław Sikorski, called the cancellation the right decision and said he was not alone in not wanting to be photographed with Lavrov. Germany's foreign minister, Johann Wadephul, said there is no normality with Russia but that disputes must be discussed at the table.
Context
Ukraine, not a G20 member, was not invited to this meeting, the BBC reported. The gathering takes place amid tensions over the war in Ukraine, US tariffs and other disputes, and ahead of a G20 leaders' summit that Euronews reported is scheduled for December at a Miami golf club hosted by President Donald Trump.
Why was the G20 foreign ministers' family photo cancelled?
The US hosts cancelled it after European diplomats, including the UK, refused to be photographed with Russia's Sergei Lavrov. A US official said the photo was dropped to avoid a diplomatic distraction and keep focus on talks.
Sources & further reading
- G20 'family photo' cancelled after protests over presence of Russian minister ↗BBC
- US cancels G20 photo after EU diplomats object to Russia's Lavrov ↗Euronews.com
Help keep the record accurate. Send a correction.
