G20 family photo cancelled in Atlanta after European protest over Russia

The United States cancelled the official group photo at a G20 foreign ministers meeting in Atlanta on October 30 after European foreign ministers refused to pose with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. BBC News and FTMQ News both reported that European diplomats objected to the presence of the Russian official. A US official said the photo was called off after it became clear that several delegations were unwilling to participate. [1][2][8]

British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband was among the foreign ministers who boycotted the photocall, according to BBC News, The Independent, and The Irish News. A British official stated that the United Kingdom maintains a longstanding policy against direct, bilateral engagement with Russian ministers since the invasion of Ukraine. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul stated that he expected no family photograph to take place, as FTMQ News reported earlier. [1][3][4][8]

Sergei Lavrov had arrived in the United States earlier in the day to attend the G20 gathering, according to reports from Anadolu Ajansı and Yeni Şafak English. As FTMQ News reported earlier, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio cancelled the photograph to prevent further controversy among the attending delegations. [5][6][8]

The dispute occurs amid heightened diplomatic tension between Ukraine and the United States over Ukrainian strikes on oil infrastructure inside Russia, BBC News reported. As FTMQ News reported earlier, the foreign ministers meeting in Atlanta precedes a full G20 leaders summit scheduled to take place in Miami in December. [1][8]