European diplomats shun Russia at G20 gathering in the US
The United States cancelled the traditional G20 family photo during a foreign ministers gathering in Atlanta after multiple countries, including the United Kingdom and Australia, refused to appear alongside Russian representatives. The summit concluded without a consensus on key global issues as Secretary of State Marco Rubio worked to align participating officials. European diplomats actively avoided Russian delegates during the sessions. Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov declined to comment on his country's participation in the upcoming December G20 summit, telling DW that Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy should travel to Russia for talks.
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- ✓ The United States cancelled the G20 family photo session in Atlanta after European diplomats, the United Kingdom, and Australia refused to appear with Russia.
- ✓ U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio hosted G20 foreign ministers in Atlanta for meetings that ended without a consensus on key issues.
- ✓ Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov attended the gathering in Atlanta.
What changed
The U.S. called off the scheduled G20 group photograph after European nations and other allies boycotted the session over the presence of the Russian delegation.
Live updates
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G20 Photo Session Cancelled After Officials Shun Russian Minister
The United States cancelled the traditional G20 family photo during a foreign ministers gathering in Atlanta after multiple countries, including the United Kingdom and Australia, refused to appear alongside Russian representatives. The summit concluded without a consensus on key global issues as Secretary of State Marco Rubio worked to align participating officials. European diplomats actively avoided Russian delegates during the sessions. Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov declined to comment on his country's participation in the upcoming December G20 summit, telling DW that Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy should travel to Russia for talks.
Why it matters
The diplomatic standoff in Atlanta highlights persistent international divisions over Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine and its continued participation in major multilateral forums. European officials have cautioned that accommodating high-ranking Russian figures risks legitimizing actions they classify as war crimes. The inability to produce a unified closing statement underscores the deep friction among member nations at the gathering.
What is confirmed
- The United States cancelled the G20 family photo session in Atlanta after European diplomats, the United Kingdom, and Australia refused to appear with Russia.
- U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio hosted G20 foreign ministers in Atlanta for meetings that ended without a consensus on key issues.
- Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov attended the gathering in Atlanta.
Still unconfirmed
- Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that Volodymyr Zelenskyy should travel to Russia if he wanted talks.
- EU official Kallas asserted that hosting Putin at the G20 may normalize war crimes.
What to watch next
- Official diplomatic statements regarding participation in the upcoming December G20 summit.
- Further announcements from the U.S. State Department regarding outcomes of the Atlanta ministerial meetings.
confidence 100%Sources used for this update (21)
- www.nytimes.com — The New York Times - Breaking News, US News, World News and Videos
- english.aawsat.com — Latest World News
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- BBC — G20 'family photo' cancelled after protests over presence of Russian minister
- The New York Times — Distaste for Russian Diplomat Forces U.S. to Cancel Photo Session in Atlanta
- U.S. Department of State (.gov) — Secretary of State Marco Rubio at a Plenary Session on Geopolitical Issues
- dw.com — European diplomats shun Russia at G20 gathering in the US
- PBS — WATCH: Rubio welcomes G20 foreign ministers to Atlanta at 'critical moment'
- The Guardian — US cancels G20 ‘family photo’ after Australia, UK and others refuse to appear with Russia
- The Guardian — Ukraine war briefing: Moscow’s Lavrov snubbed at G20 in Atlanta
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