Group photo at G20 meeting canceled amid rising Russia-Ukraine tensions

Secretary of State Marco Rubio decided to cancel the traditional group photo of all the nations’ representatives at The G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting Friday after determining that the controversy surrounding the event would be a distraction, according to two U.S. officials cited by the Associated Press. Several Europeans objected to being photographed with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and threatened to walk out of the photo session because of their disapproval of Russia’s war with Ukraine.

What is the G20 summit? Top diplomats of the so-called Group of 20, a gathering of the world’s largest economies, came together to discuss and coordinate economic policy. Its participants represented about 85% of global gross domestic product and two-thirds of the world’s population. This year, Secretary Rubio is hosting the G20 meeting Oct. 30-31 in Atlanta, Ga. The U.S. goal for the summit is to drive economic growth, spark innovation, and strengthen partnerships that benefit Americans.

Who has objected to taking a photo with Lavrov in the past? At the previous finance ministers' meeting in August in Asheville, N.C., German Finance Minister and Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil said that while it was important to debate and find clear words about the war with Russia and Ukraine, a group photo would have been a significant step too far for him, according to news outlet Der Spiegel. At that time, Klingbeil had advocated for a boycott among the other European G20 states. His boycott found success; Ultimately the image was taken with only European representatives.

Who was OK with a photo with Lavrov? Just before Friday’s meeting, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul told Der Spiegel he wanted a photo with Lavrov, his Russian counterpart. Wadephul said it was important to speak with Russia and to use every opportunity to make it clear to Russia that it must abandon this completely senseless war, according to the outlet.