G20 cancels family photo after Europe refuses to stand with Lavrov

Summarised from 5 outlets · 6 reports · Updated 30 Oct, 17:39 · Archive

The G20 scrapped its traditional opening photograph after European foreign ministers refused to be pictured with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

The G20 Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Atlanta was scheduled to begin with its traditional family photograph on Friday morning, bringing together representatives from the world's twenty largest economies. However, the photo was cancelled after multiple European foreign ministers refused to participate if Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov was included.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, hosting the summit, made the decision to scrap the photograph after concluding the controversy would distract from substantive discussions. According to US officials, some delegations had threatened to walk out if the photo went ahead as planned.

British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband was among those refusing to participate. A UK government source confirmed: "The Foreign Secretary is here in Atlanta focused on the global challenges that are driving up costs for people at home." Another British official stated: "The UK has a longstanding policy not to have direct, bilateral engagement with Russian ministers since the invasion of Ukraine and we are not about to change that."

When asked on Tuesday whether he would shake hands with Lavrov, Miliband had replied: "We do not engage in that way with the Russians and have not for a number of years. As I have said throughout this session, we are absolutely clear about the need to counter the Russian hybrid threat." Some reports suggest Miliband had initially planned to boycott the photo and asked for a separate picture to be arranged with close allies instead.

Polish Deputy Prime Minister Radosław Sikorski told media in Atlanta that cancelling the photo was "the right decision," saying "I am not the only one who does not want to be photographed with Lavrov." German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said "there is no normality with Russia" but that ministers "must exchange the controversies at the table here."

The diplomatic incident highlights deep rifts within the G20 over Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which began over four years ago. Some countries had already expressed concern about Russia's invitation, particularly given what multiple outlets describe as ongoing devastating attacks on Ukraine. Ukraine itself, which had attended previous G20 meetings despite not being a member, was not invited to this year's summit.

Rubio opened the talks saying: "We are in a critical moment — I would call it a moment of choosing, and I would say not just for my country, the United States of America, but frankly, for the world." The meeting in Atlanta serves as a precursor to a G20 leaders' summit hosted by President Donald Trump at his Miami golf club in December.

How it is being reported

• G20 'family photo' cancelled after protests over presence of Russian ministerEuropean foreign ministers refused to be pictured with Sergei Lavrov at the summit being held in Atlanta.BBC News · 30 Oct, 17:25
• Miliband boycotted cancelled G20 photocall with Russian envoy over UkraineThe diplomatic incident underlines the ongoing tensions over the war, triggered more than four years ago by Moscow’s invasion.Evening Standard · 30 Oct, 17:17
• EU diplomats object to G20 photo with Lavrov, prompting US cancellationThe meeting in Atlanta will go ahead as planned, ahead of a G20 leaders’ summit hosted by President Donald Trump at his Miami golf club in December.Euronews · 30 Oct, 17:03
• G20 leaders photo scrapped after Europe refuses to be pictured with RussiaUS Secretary of State Marco Rubio was forced to cancel the leaders’ photo on Friday amid fears it would be a distractionIndependent World · 30 Oct, 15:20
• G20 group photo of diplomats 'is scrapped after ministers refused to stand beside Russia's Sergey Lavrov'But plans for a group photo were axed after foreign ministers objected to being photographed with Mr Lavrov, Russia's top diplomat, according to a report by Associated Press.Daily Mail · 30 Oct, 15:05
• Ed Miliband 'to snub' G20 family photo with Russian counterpart Lavrov - as he urges US hosts to stage a separate picture with alliesThe Foreign Secretary will not take part in the traditional image showing all 20 of them together at the event in Atlanta because Putin's burly henchman is attending.Daily Mail · 30 Oct, 10:06

In this story: Ed Miliband · Sergei Lavrov · Marco Rubio · Russia · Ukraine · Atlanta · G20

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log