ATLANTA — The United States cancelled the traditional group photograph at the G20 Foreign Ministers' meeting after several countries objected to appearing alongside Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. The disagreement highlighted continuing diplomatic divisions over Russia's war in Ukraine.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio cancelled the photo session after European officials and other participating delegations expressed opposition to sharing the official photograph with Lavrov. The objections came amid strained relations between Russia and Western countries following Moscow's invasion of Ukraine. Some delegations had reportedly proposed taking separate photographs instead.
Despite the disagreement, the ministerial meeting continued, with Rubio urging participating countries to focus on common challenges rather than diplomatic differences. He stressed the importance of cooperation on economic and geopolitical issues affecting the international community.
Discussions also covered global trade, energy security, maritime safety, tensions involving Iran and developments in the South China Sea. The continuing divisions over Russia's war in Ukraine, however, have raised doubts about whether the meeting can produce a joint statement accepted by all participating countries.
The incident underlined the challenges facing the G20 as member countries attempt to maintain international cooperation despite significant differences over major geopolitical issues.
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