G20 leaders photo scrapped after Europe refuses to be pictured with Russia

The USA cancelled a photo opportunity for top diplomats at the G20 on the summit’s opening day on Friday after a number of European leaders refused to be photographed with the Russian delegate. The photograph is a traditional opening event at diplomatic events like the G20, and the refusal to pose alongside Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov highlight the deep rifts between Russia and the rest of the world. The photo was cancelled by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio after concluding the controversy would be too big of a distraction from the vital work being carried out at the talks, according to US officials who spoke on condition of anonymity. The Atlanta meeting is intended as a precursor for the G20 leaders’ summit hosted by President Donald Trump this December, scheduled to take place at his Miami golf club. The photo cancellation has fuelled further fears that G20 leaders will be unable to reach solutions for some of the world’s most pressing geopolitical issues, including the Russia-Ukraine conflict which has entered its fourth year. Marco Rubio cancelled the photo for fear it would be too much of a distraction (AFP/Getty)Before the photo disagreement, some G20 countries had already expressed concern that the U.S. invited Russia during its heightened attacks on Ukraine. That is especially after Trump pushed ties with Ukraine to new lows by waiving fresh sanctions on Moscow and temporarily limiting logistical and intelligence assistance.Russia’s foreign ministry complained of issues securing visas for its delegation that were only resolved at the last minute. Those complications had created the impression that “not everyone in Washington is happy” about Lavrov attending, ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said. But he would use the meeting to advocate for the “swift reform of global economic institutions,” she said.Lavrov has traveled very infrequently to NATO member states since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022 and resulting severe sanctions were imposed on Moscow. Some countries had already expressed discontent at Russia being invited to Atlanta (AFP/Getty)His presence in Atlanta is likely to cause domestic political problems for Trump just days before the midterm elections and roil at least the G20's Western participants, according to Ian Kelly, a U.S. ambassador to Georgia during Trump’s first term.“It seems politically boneheaded to invite him,” said Kelly, who now teaches international relations and diplomacy at Northwestern University outside Chicago.Kelly noted that many Republican lawmakers, who already fear losing their congressional majorities, are “cranky” with Trump’s conciliatory approach to Putin. Democrats, he added, could use the invitation to bash the GOP before the midterm Election Day on Tuesday.In terms of the G20 itself, Lavrov’s attendance will almost certainly hurt efforts to produce a unified approach on the Russia-Ukraine war, Kelly said. “It will definitely take away from the message that at least the Western members want to send,” he said.It is unclear if Russian President Vladimir Putin will accept Trump’s invitation to the December summit in Florida.