US Scraps G20 Photo Over Lavrov Presence
13 sourcesUpdated Oct 30, 20261 min read
Secretary of State Marco Rubio cancelled the traditional group photo at the G20 foreign ministers meeting in Atlanta after several European officials objected to being photographed with Sergey Lavrov. Some delegates threatened to walk out if he was included. The two-day gathering on October 30 and 31 covered trade imbalances, energy security, critical minerals and supply chains under the US G20 presidency, ahead of a leaders summit December 14 to 16 in Miami at President Trump's golf club. Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski said he refused to be photographed with Lavrov and was not alone. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul argued there could be no appearance of normal relations with Russia during the war in Ukraine, which Russia launched in February 2022. Ukraine was not invited. Maria Zakharova said visa delays for the Russian delegation, later resolved, created the impression not everyone in Washington welcomed Lavrov, who would push reform of global economic institutions. The Trump administration invited Vladimir Putin to Miami, unconfirmed by the Kremlin, and has waived or eased new sanctions on Russia. Ian Kelly, a former US ambassador to Georgia who teaches at Northwestern University, said inviting Lavrov "seems politically boneheaded." Kaja Kallas called for more aid to Ukraine. A unified final statement is not assured.
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Canceling the photo over one Russian official feels like empty posturing that won't change anything on the ground.
It's right to avoid any photo with Lavrov while Russia keeps attacking Ukraine. The ministers made their point without turning it into a bigger scene.
