The G20 foreign ministers' meeting in Atlanta, US, was set to begin on Friday, October 30, and conclude on Saturday. However, the traditional group photo was dropped from the program due to objections from some ministers, including Europeans, who refused to stand alongside Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. According to a US State Department official, the photo was removed to avoid a "distracting" or "provocative" scene.
Reports indicate that around a third of the participants opposed taking a photo with Lavrov. Some European ministers, including German Foreign Minister Johan Wadel, expressed their concerns, stating that there could be no normal relations with Moscow. Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski also voiced his objections, saying he was not the only one who did not want to take a photo with Lavrov.
The US decision was supported by Australia, which emphasized that it would not legitimize Russia's "illegal" invasion of Ukraine. The meeting's agenda includes discussions on the war in Ukraine, the conflict with Iran, and maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz and the Black Sea. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the current situation as a "crucial moment," highlighting challenges in energy, food, trade, and navigation.
The G20 represents around 85% of the global economy, and its members include 19 countries, as well as the European and African Unions. The US is currently chairing the G20, having taken over the rotating presidency in December 2025. The next G20 summit is scheduled to take place in Miami on December 14-15, 2026, although it is unclear if Russian President Vladimir Putin will attend.
The meeting in Atlanta has been marked by disagreements, with some participants, including Poland, objecting to Russia's refusal to allow Poland to join the group. Additionally, there are concerns about the absence of South Africa from the meeting. The US has invited Putin to the Miami summit, but his attendance has not been confirmed.
The current tensions within the G20 reflect the challenges of coordinating international responses to pressing global issues. The group's ability to produce a joint statement at the end of the meeting remains uncertain due to ongoing disagreements. The UK is set to take over the G20 presidency from the US after the Miami summit.
The developments at the G20 meeting in Atlanta highlight the ongoing divisions between Russia and Western nations. The objections to Lavrov's participation in the group photo underscore the strain in international relations, particularly in light of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The outcome of the meeting and the future of G20 cooperation will be closely watched by global observers.
Key points
- The US canceled the traditional G20 group photo due to objections from some ministers over Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's participation.
- The meeting's agenda includes discussions on the war in Ukraine, the conflict with Iran, and maritime security.
- The G20 represents around 85% of the global economy, comprising 19 countries and two unions.
