G20 Cancels Group Photo Over Russian Minister's Presence
European diplomats refused to pose with Russia's Foreign Minister at the G20 meeting in Atlanta.
By Spark News Desk · · United Kingdom, United States, Europe
European diplomats refused to stand for an official photo with Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov at the G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, leading to the cancellation of the planned group photo.
UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband confronted Lavrov, accusing Russia of killing innocent civilians in Ukraine. The meeting, hosted by the US in Atlanta, did not include Ukraine, which is not a G20 member.
A US official said the photo was cancelled after some delegations refused to participate, to avoid a diplomatic distraction and keep the focus on substantive discussions.
Why it matters
The cancellation reflects ongoing tensions over Russia’s war in Ukraine and the reluctance of Western nations to engage with Moscow diplomatically. It also highlights the fragile state of US-Ukraine relations.
Sources
- Eight in 10 homes in London’s poshest postcodes now sell below asking price, Coutts finds — The Guardian
- G20 'family photo' cancelled after protests over presence of Russian minister — BBC News
Written by the Spark News Desk with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. See our editorial policy. Spotted an error? Tell us.