Rubio Cancels G20 Group Photo as Australia and UK Refuse to Stand With Lavrov

Secretary of State Marco Rubio canceled the traditional opening group photo for the G20 foreign ministers' meeting in Atlanta on Friday. He made the decision after several nations, including the United Kingdom and Australia, announced they would not stand beside Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. Approximately one-third of the countries in attendance signaled their intent to boycott the photograph, which typically marks the start of international gatherings.

Rubio opened the talks by urging unity on threats to security and trade. He told his colleagues, "We are in a critical moment. We are facing a series of interconnected economic and geopolitical crises." The cancellation occurred just days after Germany's Foreign Affairs Minister Johann Wadephul warned that no European partners would pose with Lavrov. Wadephul stated, "In no case will there be a family photo with European partners and Mr Lavrov together because … there is no normality with Russia."

British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband echoed that stance, noting, "We do not engage in that way with the Russians and have not for a number of years." Australian Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong addressed the Russian delegation directly during the opening session. She condemned the invasion of Ukraine, saying the conflict had disrupted international markets and worsened global food security. A spokesperson for Wong confirmed Australia supported the US move to cancel the photo.

The dispute over the photo reflects wider tensions within the group. Diplomats described the opening session as cordial but noted that Russia's position on Ukraine remains unyielding. Moscow also continues to oppose Poland's membership in the G20. Poland attended the meeting as a guest for the first time, with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski representing the country. Sikorski told reporters, "We have wars going on and we have participants in those wars around the table, so it's very difficult to agree a common line."

Participants expect the foreign ministers will fail to produce a joint communique when the meetings end on Saturday. This outcome is compounded by the Trump administration's decision not to invite South Africa, a founding member of the group. South Africa's spokesperson, Phindile Kunene, stated, "We have consistently maintained that our nonparticipation is not voluntary." Ukraine was also excluded from this year's invitations, with US officials citing a deliberate choice to include only formal members.

Despite the disagreements, several anonymous participants said delegates agreed to work toward a successful leaders' summit in Florida next month. The meeting continues in Atlanta with closed-door sessions focused on economic and geopolitical challenges.

The G20 leaders' summit is scheduled for next month in Florida, hosted by President Donald Trump. The foreign ministers' meeting concludes Saturday.