US Cancels G20 Photo Amid EU Diplomats’ Refusal to Be Pictured with Russian FM Lavrov

POLICY WIRE — New Delhi, India — The United States has called off a planned group photo of foreign ministers from the G20, following objections from European diplomats who refused to be photographed alongside Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. The decision, made by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, was aimed at avoiding further controversy, according to two US officials.

Rubio opened the talks with a forward-looking statement, expressing hope for a productive meeting. “We are in a critical moment — I would call it a moment of choosing, and I would say not just for my country, the United States of America, but frankly, for the world,” he said. He highlighted the series of interconnected economic and geopolitical crises facing the global community, many of which pose severe threats to the global economic order.

The cancellation of the traditional group photo underscored the tensions within the G20, as diplomats grapple with difficult negotiations over the war in Ukraine, the conflict between the US and Iran, US tariffs, and disputes in the South China Sea. Polish Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski endorsed the US decision, stating that it was ‘the right decision’ and that he, along with others, was unwilling to be photographed with Lavrov.

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul remarked that ‘there is no normality with Russia’ but emphasized the need to address controversies at the table. He also cautioned against sending ‘falsely optimistic signals.’ Even before the photo dispute, several G20 countries had expressed concerns over Russia’s invitation, especially amid intensified attacks on Ukraine and the Trump administration’s recent actions, including the waiving of new sanctions on Moscow and the temporary restriction of logistical and intelligence support for Kyiv.

Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)