G20 foreign ministers scrap group photo over Lavrov protest

European diplomats refused to pose for the scheduled “family photo” with Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov at the G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Atlanta, prompting the United States to cancel the picture.

Two officials confirmed to the BBC that the photo, normally taken with representatives from all attending nations, was called off after it became clear some delegations would not participate. A US official said the decision was made “to keep the focus on the substantive discussions” rather than allow a ceremonial moment to become a diplomatic distraction.

UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband addressed Lavrov directly, stating “we all know who the aggressor in this war is” and urging member states to work harder for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine. He warned that Russia’s war is causing “colossal global harm”, including civilian deaths, energy disruption and food insecurity, and called for increased economic and diplomatic pressure on Moscow.

The meeting, hosted by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, did not invite Ukraine, although the country has attended similar gatherings in recent years. A British official reiterated the UK’s policy of avoiding direct bilateral engagement with Russian ministers since the invasion.

In parallel, the US State Department approved a sale of more than €2 billion in Patriot missiles to Ukraine, while US‑Russia relations have shown signs of thawing after recent sanctions waivers and a diesel import deal.

Source: BBC News. Photo: Dmitry Romanoff / Pexels.