G20 'Family Photo' Canceled After European Diplomats Refuse to Pose With Russian Minister
US hosts cancel planned group photograph at foreign ministers' meeting due to protests over Russia's presence.
The planned "family photo" of foreign ministers at a G20 meeting in Atlanta was canceled after European diplomats declined to stand with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, according to U.S. officials. The G20 Foreign Ministers' Meeting, hosted by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, brings together top diplomats from the world's largest economies.
British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband was present, and a diplomatic source confirmed the UK was among the nations refusing to participate in the photograph. A British official stated that the UK maintains a policy of not engaging directly with Russian ministers since the invasion of Ukraine. Ukraine, which is not a G20 member but has been invited to previous meetings, was not invited to this summit.
The cancellation comes amidst a complex diplomatic landscape. Relations between the U.S. and Russia have seen some thawing recently, with President Donald Trump waiving certain sanctions and agreeing to a deal to import Russian diesel. This move is intended to help lower U.S. fuel prices ahead of midterm elections.
However, Ukraine and its European allies have criticized the diesel deal, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky calling it a "gift" to Russian President Vladimir Putin that could prolong the conflict. President Trump has stated that his decision to suspend some sanctions is an effort to keep Moscow engaged in negotiations regarding the war in Ukraine. Russia, which had previously banned diesel exports, has indicated willingness to supply oil and petroleum products to global markets.
Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and currently occupies approximately one-fifth of Ukrainian territory. Moscow has recently increased missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian cities.