U.S. officials scrapped the G20 group photo over objections to appearing with Sergey Lavrov
The United States scrapped plans for a traditional G20 “family photo” at the Atlanta foreign ministers’ meeting after several European diplomats objected to posing with Russia’s top diplomat, Sergey Lavrov, and threatened to walk out, U.S. officials said. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is chairing the two-day gathering, which will set the stage for December’s leaders’ summit.
More context
U.S. officials said the Atlanta meeting would not have a group photo after European diplomats balked at appearing alongside Sergey Lavrov, Russia’s top diplomat, and warned they might leave. The scrapped photo was a departure from the traditional G20 “family photo.” Secretary of State Marco Rubio is chairing the gathering on Friday and Saturday. Top diplomats from the Group of 20 largest economies, including envoys from Russia and China, are meeting amid deep rifts over wars and other global crises that threaten international security and trade, the Associated Press reported. The meeting is intended to set the stage for a G20 leaders’ summit that Donald Trump will host at his Miami golf club in December.
Was this story useful?
What was the main problem? (optional)
Reporting
Verifier’s note
CBS Atlanta reports that U.S. officials scrapped the G20 group photo after European diplomats objected to posing with Sergey Lavrov and threatened to walk out. Bloomberg independently reports the same central event; News4JAX discusses Lavrov’s attendance but does not report the photo cancellation.