G20 ministers scrap group photo in Atlanta over Russia row
What's new: European delegations refused to appear with Sergei Lavrov, exposing wider strains over Washington's recent easing of pressure on Moscow.
G20 foreign ministers opened their meeting in Atlanta on Oct. 30 without the customary group photo after several European countries objected to appearing alongside Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. The US State Department agenda omitted the so-called family shot, and ministers went straight into the first session. Germany's Johann Wadephul said there would be no photo with Lavrov because there was "no normalcy with Russia," while a British source said the UK would not join any joint picture involving Russian ministers. The dispute underscored broader tensions inside the group as European members back Ukraine and criticize President Donald Trump's recent moves to waive some sanctions on Russia and buy Russian diesel.