G20 Ministers Weigh 2 Family Photos With Lavrov as Russia Divides Atlanta Meeting
Updated
Updated · POLITICO · Oct 29
G20 Ministers Weigh 2 Family Photos With Lavrov as Russia Divides Atlanta Meeting
3 articles · Updated · POLITICO · Oct 29
Summary
Two family photos are under discussion at the G20 foreign ministers’ meeting in Atlanta—one with Sergey Lavrov and one without—as European delegates split over whether to appear alongside Russia’s top diplomat.
European diplomats said some ministers want to avoid any signal that Russia is back to business as usual, though only two attendees had given a firm refusal and others stayed silent or declined to comment.
Marco Rubio is hosting the weekend talks on geopolitical shocks to trade, energy, food security and supply chains, while Ukraine’s envoy said success would mean showing Lavrov that support for Kyiv remains united.
An August G20 finance meeting in North Carolina set a precedent when Europeans refused a photo with Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov, and Atlanta’s handling of Lavrov could shape the tone before the December leaders’ summit in Miami.
The dispute also reflects wider strain over Russia policy: Ukraine was not invited to Atlanta, Trump has waived new Russia sanctions and announced a Russian diesel deal, and European diplomats are now looking to Abu Dhabi talks for influence.