In brief
In Atlanta, the G20 foreign ministers’ meeting saw the United States scrap a customary group photo when European officials chose not to stand beside Russia’s Sergey Lavrov, underscoring deep divisions over sanctions and Ukraine. The decision drew statements from German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul and EU policy chief Kaja Kallas, while the U.S. and other attendees pressed for stronger support for Ukraine amid ongoing conflicts.
At a G20 foreign ministers’ meeting in Atlanta, the United States scrapped the customary group photo after European officials declined to pose alongside Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, exposing fissures within the bloc over sanctions and Ukraine.
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said the photo would “be no family photo featuring our European partners together with Mr Lavrov,” a statement reported by the dpa news agency.
“There will be no family photo featuring our European partners together with Mr Lavrov,”
Lavrov, who remains under Western sanctions following Russia’s full‑scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, arrived in Atlanta ahead of the talks, according to Russian state media. The meeting, overseen by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, was dominated by discussions of the wars in Ukraine and Iran and calls for economic, energy and food security.
Ukraine was not invited to the summit, a fact reported by the Abu Dhabi‑based newspaper The National. A diplomatic source told AFP that Russia’s presence “in no way legitimises its actions.”
EU foreign‑policy chief Kaja Kallas pledged to urge G20 partners to strengthen support for Ukraine and pursue accountability through a special tribunal and a claims commission after a Russian strike on a Ukrainian railway station killed at least 14 people earlier that day.
The United States has also issued sanctions waivers allowing Russia to export diesel to ease fuel prices ahead of the November 3 midterm elections, a move noted by US President Donald Trump.
Secretary Rubio highlighted the need for cooperation on economic and geopolitical crises threatening global trade, energy and food supplies, and freedom of navigation, a statement reported by dpa.
Meanwhile, Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz following U.S.–Israeli strikes in February has pushed global energy prices higher.
Washington plans to publish a chair’s summary instead of a joint statement, according to a diplomatic source who told AFP that “the G20 is no longer really a forum where foreign ministers can reach agreement on a statement.”
