In brief
While G20 foreign ministers met in Atlanta, Europe's refusal to stand beside Russia’s ambassador for a group photo exposed deep divisions over sanctions and Ukraine. German and EU diplomats criticized Lavrov’s presence, and U.S. officials highlighted economic and security concerns during a meeting shadowed by wars in Ukraine and Iran.
During a G20 foreign‑minister meeting in Atlanta on 30 October, the United States cancelled the traditional group photo after European officials refused to stand beside Russia’s Sergey Lavrov, isolating him at the event. This decision marked a clear rift within the bloc over the handling of sanctions and support for Ukraine.
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said, "There will be no family photo featuring our European partners together with Mr Lavrov," according to the Danish news agency dpa.
The European Union’s foreign‑policy chief Kaja Kallas said she would urge G20 partners to strengthen support for Ukraine and push for accountability through a special tribunal and claims commission, following a Russian strike on a Ukrainian railway station that killed at least 14 people the same day.
Russia’s Lavrov arrived in Atlanta in advance of the talks and, according to Russian state media, planned to use his speech to argue against international sanctions. A diplomatic source told the AFP that “Russia’s presence at the G20 in no way legitimises its actions.” Ukraine was not invited to the meeting, The National noted.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio opened the meeting by urging members to cooperate on economic and geopolitical crises, noting the threat to global trade, energy and food supplies and the importance of freedom of navigation. Rubio posted on X: “Both maritime and food security drive economic security.”
In the broader context, the night before the meeting President Donald Trump had issued sanctions waivers allowing Russia to export diesel, a move that eased fuel prices before the November 3 midterm elections. Iran had blocked the Strait of Hormuz following U.S.–Israeli strikes in late February, further driving up global energy prices.
Washington will not produce a joint statement. Instead, a diplomatic source told AFP that the U.S. will publish a chair‑summary that it has drafted, noting that the G20 no longer functions as a forum where foreign ministers can reach agreement on a statement.
