In brief
The meeting saw deep rifts in the G20 as European foreign ministers refused to be photographed with Russian envoy Sergey Lavrov, prompting U.S. officials to drop the customary photo. The European bloc’s stance underscored disagreements over sanctions and Ukraine, while U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned of a fragmented G20 and announced that a chair’s summary would replace a joint statement.
On Oct. 30, the G20 foreign ministers meeting in Atlanta saw the United States scrapping a traditional group photo after European officials declined to stand alongside Russia’s Sergey Lavrov, exposing deep rifts within the bloc.
The decision came after German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said, according to the dpa news agency,
“There will be no family photo featuring our European partners together with Mr Lavrov.”
Lavrov arrived in Atlanta ahead of the talks, Russian state media reported, where he was expected to speak against international sanctions.
Abu Dhabi‑based newspaper The National reported that Ukraine was not invited to participate in the meeting.
European Union foreign‑policy chief Kaja Kallas pledged to urge G20 partners to strengthen support for Ukraine and pursue accountability through a special tribunal and claims commission after a Russian strike on a Ukrainian railway station earlier that day killed at least 14 people.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio opened the talks, urging cooperation on economic and geopolitical crises and noting that no joint statement would be expected; Washington will instead publish a chair’s summary, a diplomatic source told AFP.
Al Jazeera reports that weeks earlier, U.S. President Donald Trump issued sanctions waivers allowing Russia to export diesel to ease fuel prices before the November 3 midterm elections, though other outlets have not confirmed this action.
