European ministers refused to pose beside Russia’s top diplomat, so the United States dropped the picture, and Sergey Lavrov brushed off the row.
Tamrah News Desk | October 31, 2026
The G20 family photo was cancelled on Friday at the G20 foreign ministers meeting in Atlanta after European diplomats refused to stand beside Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, according to Al Jazeera, which drew on AFP and dpa reporting. Lavrov later dismissed the row at a press conference, saying that if the photo matters most to his counterparts,
“that says it all”
CNN reported. The Atlanta talks, hosted by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, close on Saturday.
Why the G20 Family Photo Was Scrapped
CNN reported, citing three sources, that the United States explored taking two photos, one with Lavrov and one without. Marco Rubio then decided to cancel the picture entirely, two of the sources said. The Associated Press reported that European diplomats threatened to boycott or leave the group photo, a customary opener at such gatherings. The Munich Eye, citing the BBC, said two officials confirmed the group photo was dropped after European diplomats declined to pose.
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said there would be no photo showing European partners alongside Lavrov, according to dpa as cited by Al Jazeera. IBTimes quoted him as saying “there is no normalcy with Russia.” Al Jazeera reported that a diplomatic source told AFP that Russia’s presence at the G20 does not legitimise its actions.
What Sergey Lavrov Said in Atlanta
CNN reported that the Russian Foreign Minister dismissed the controversy and said he had met Marco Rubio briefly for a fairly good conversation. AFP reporting carried by the New Straits Times said Lavrov called it a decent talk. Al Jazeera had reported earlier that no formal bilateral meeting was announced.
The Associated Press reported that Lavrov said Moscow will not allow Ukraine to pose a military threat to Russian security interests, and that diplomats described Russia’s position on Ukraine as unyielding. Those diplomats also said Russia opposes Poland’s membership in the G20. Al Jazeera, citing The National, reported that Ukraine was not invited.
European Diplomats Press Russia on Ukraine
Al Jazeera reported that EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas pledged to urge G20 partners to strengthen support for Ukraine and pursue accountability through a special tribunal. That came after a Russian strike on a Ukrainian railway station killed at least 14 people on Thursday.
The Munich Eye, citing the BBC, reported that UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband told the Russian Foreign Minister there was no doubt which side was the aggressor in the Russia Ukraine war. The AP also reported that the State Department approved a proposed $2.1 billion sale of Patriot interceptors for Ukraine on Friday.
Will the G20 Issue a Joint Statement After the Atlanta Talks?
According to the AP, the meeting is set to close on Saturday without a joint communique. Diplomats told the agency that Marco Rubio will release a chairman’s statement instead, a plan they said had long been expected because of deep divisions over the Russia Ukraine war, the Iran war, tariffs and the South China Sea.
Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski, attending as a guest, told reporters it is
“very difficult to agree on a common line”
Al Jazeera added that South Africa was excluded by Washington.
A Pattern of Group Photo Disputes at the G20
Anadolu Agency reported that the February 2025 G20 foreign ministers meeting in Johannesburg ended without a family photo, with South African officials citing time constraints. The Wire reported that, under India’s presidency, G7 members again did not want to share a frame with Lavrov, after a similar situation in Bali in 2022.
At the Atlanta talks, AFP reporting said Washington is pursuing diplomacy on Ukraine while seeking Moscow’s help to curb fuel prices, a campaign issue in the US midterms. Al Jazeera reported that President Donald Trump recently issued sanctions waivers allowing Russia to export diesel before the Nov. 3 midterm elections.
Will Putin Attend the G20 Leaders Summit in Miami?
MENAFN reported that Rubio said Putin might attend, though there is no confirmation. Reuters reported in September, in a copy published by KFGO, that Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia would consider the invitation. Al Jazeera reported that leaders meet in Miami on December 14 and 15.
Conclusion
The G20 family photo dispute at the Atlanta talks shows how the Russia Ukraine war still divides major economies, with European diplomats refusing to share a frame with the Russian Foreign Minister while Washington keeps Moscow at the table. Readers following the Lavrov G20 snub, the G20 foreign ministers meeting, the Rubio Lavrov talks, the G20 Miami summit, the Putin G20 invitation and the Russia sanctions debate can expect further developments before leaders gather in December.
