US scraps G20 photo after European diplomats object to being pictured with Russia's Lavrov

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1. 1h ago

   G20 Scraps Photo After European Ministers Object to Lavrov

   The United States canceled the traditional Group of 20 family photo during foreign ministers' talks in Atlanta after European diplomats refused to pose alongside Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. The decision followed objections over Russia's war in Ukraine. During the meeting, UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband confronted Lavrov directly, accusing Moscow of killing innocent civilians. The gathering of top diplomats from the world's largest economies highlighted deep rifts regarding ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, forcing the U.S. host nation to scrap the high-profile photo session entirely.

   Why it matters

   The summit in Atlanta has brought heightened security, Midtown road closures, and drone surveillance to the city. The diplomatic impasse underscores the severe friction among global powers over the war in Ukraine. Past international gatherings have routinely faced similar friction as Western nations seek to isolate Moscow without completely derailing multilateral forums.

   What is confirmed

   • The United States canceled the traditional G20 family photo after diplomats objected to appearing alongside Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
   • Some European foreign ministers refused to pose alongside Sergey Lavrov at the Group of 20 gathering hosted in Atlanta.
   • UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband confronted his Russian counterpart at the meeting and accused his government of killing innocent civilians in Ukraine.

   What to watch next

   • Further statements or retaliatory diplomatic actions from Russian officials at the G20 meeting
   • Additional bilateral fallout between European and Russian delegations as plenary sessions continue in Atlanta
   Sources used for this update (17)

   1. www.koreatimes.co.kr — Saudi Arabia strikes Yemen capital as Houthis vow to retaliate
   2. AP News — G20 diplomats, including from China and Russia, face deep rifts as they prepare to meet in Atlanta
   3. 11Alive.com — Midtown closures in place for G20 Foreign Ministers' Meeting
   4. FOX 5 Atlanta — Drone surveillance, road closures expected for Atlanta G20 meeting
   5. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution — G20 summit to come to Atlanta, impacting traffic and bringing economic attention
   6. Reuters — Rifts over wars in Ukraine, Middle East loom over G20 meeting in US
   7. The New Republic — Russia’s Lavrov Lands in U.S. for G20 Meeting—Enraging Everyone
   8. BBC — G20 'family photo' cancelled after protests over presence of Russian minister
   9. Bloomberg.com — G20 Photo Scrapped After Leaders Object to Russia’s Presence
   10. The New York Times — Distaste for Russian Diplomat Forces U.S. to Cancel Photo Session in Atlanta
   11. U.S. Department of State (.gov) — Secretary of State Marco Rubio at a Plenary Session on Geopolitical Issues
   12. CNN — G20 photo scrapped amid tensions over Russian foreign minister’s presence
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