G20 foreign ministers drop group photo after European refusal to pose with Lavrov

Group photo dropped

The traditional family photo of G20 foreign ministers was not taken at the meeting in Atlanta, Georgia, because European members refused to pose beside Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. DIE WELT reported that several European foreign ministers had threatened to leave the photo session. On Thursday evening, 29 October, host and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio decided to drop it, two US government officials said on condition of anonymity, arguing the dispute would distract from the talks. A US official said the State Department had taken the photo off the agenda to avoid a spectacle or a distraction. A Western diplomat said a third of the participants, including Australia and Canada, had argued against a photo with Lavrov. Lavrov sat between the foreign ministers of Mexico and Saudi Arabia, while many other ministers kept their distance from him.

Wadephul rules out a family photo

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul had said shortly before the meeting that no photo would show European partners together with Lavrov.

“There will in any case be no group photo with our European partners and Mr Lavrov together.”

At a stop in Panama before Atlanta, he had not ruled out a photo and pointed to his meeting with Lavrov on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. In Atlanta he took a harder line. On the sidelines it was said that the Europeans had coordinated closely on the photo question, and that talks had reportedly also been held with Australia. Wadephul argued that the controversies must be aired at the negotiating table, and that Europe must not send out false optical signals.

“There is no normality with Russia.”

He also urged Moscow to finally accept Ukraine's offer of a ceasefire.

Wars, energy and shipping

The talks are dominated by Russia's war in Ukraine and by the Iran war that the United States began together with Israel in February. Rubio opened the meeting by urging closer cooperation, saying economic and geopolitical crises threaten global trade, energy and food supplies and freedom of navigation. Reports say he also complained that partners had repeatedly withheld support in the Iran war. Restricted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has pushed oil and gas prices sharply higher, while the Ukraine war hurts trade in fertiliser and grain across the Black Sea. A working session on supply chains is scheduled for Saturday, 31 October. Wadephul again pressed for a diplomatic solution to the Iran conflict, saying an armed confrontation would not solve the Iran problem. The US host had wanted the focus on trade imbalances and a coalition against China's control of critical minerals, but for many members the wars remained the main concern. Rubio seated Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski right beside him, as the only guest invited to the G20 deliberations.

Europe, Ukraine and the Trump administration

European G20 members back Ukraine and reject recent decisions by US President Donald Trump on Russia, including a deal on buying diesel and the suspension of some sanctions. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said she would press for stronger support for Ukraine. Ukraine, which is not a G20 member, attended earlier G20 meetings but was not invited this year. Ian Kelly, a former US ambassador to the country of Georgia who now teaches international relations at Northwestern University, told journalists that Lavrov's presence could hurt Trump domestically before the congressional elections on Tuesday, 3 November, and would anger the Western participants. He described inviting Lavrov as politically foolish.

Summit preparations

The Atlanta meeting serves as a dry run for the G20 leaders' summit on 14 and 15 December in Miami, where the foreign ministers are to prepare possible decisions. The summit is set to take place on the golf course of President Trump in Miami. Chancellor Friedrich Merz, French President Emmanuel Macron and Chinese leader Xi Jinping are expected there alongside Trump. Trump has also invited Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin, but it remains unclear whether he will accept. Putin last attended a G20 summit in person in 2019, while Lavrov has been a regular guest at G20 meetings and Russia remains formally a member.