The G20 foreign ministers’ meeting in Atlanta canceled its traditional group photo after European diplomats refused to pose alongside Russia’s Sergei Lavrov.
The decision came on Friday as roughly one-third of participants, including Germany, Australia, and Canada, opposed appearing with Lavrov, according to diplomats. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said there could be “no normality with Russia,” while Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski called the move correct. A U.S. official said hosts dropped the photo to avoid distraction from substantive talks .
Lavrov dismissed the episode, telling reporters that if participants’ main concern was who stood next to them in a photograph, “that says it all.” He attended sessions despite earlier visa issues and used the platform to criticize the U.S. decision to invite Poland, calling it a “violation of multilateral diplomacy” and arguing Poland’s economy was too small to qualify. “The Americans simply invited the Polish minister, he came and sat in the chair that was provided for him,” Lavrov said .
The meeting exposed deep divisions over Russia’s presence, with EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas accusing Lavrov of spreading “lies” about Ukraine and stating Moscow was not ready for peace talks. European officials also pushed for a Black Sea ceasefire to secure grain exports, but Lavrov conceded no ground on Ukraine, criticizing Kyiv’s military posture ahead of planned trilateral talks in Abu Dhabi next month .
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, hosting the talks, had initially sought the photo but relented after objections. The U.S. has invited Russia’s President Vladimir Putin to a December summit in Miami, a move that has drawn criticism from European G20 members .
Poland’s participation, backed by the U.S., further angered Lavrov, who argued it broke G20 consensus rules. Sikorski confirmed Poland was lobbying to become a permanent member, though Western officials noted any change would require consensus and could take years given Russian opposition .
