Rubio Scraps G20 Photo After Europeans Balk at Standing With Lavrov

The United States scrapped plans for a traditional group photo at the G20 foreign ministers meeting in Atlanta after several European diplomats objected to being photographed with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and threatened to walk out of it, U.S. officials told the Associated Press, as reported Friday by The Washington Post.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio is chairing the two-day gathering of the world’s 20 largest economies on Friday and Saturday, according to the AP. Two U.S. officials told the AP that Rubio decided late Thursday to cancel the photograph after concluding the controversy over the posed event would be a distraction.

BREAKING: The U.S. cancels plans for a photo with top G20 diplomats after Europeans objected to standing beside Russia, AP sources say. https://t.co/gAXja9hmWF

— The Associated Press (@AP) October 30, 2026

Europe balks at Lavrov

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty separately reported that there would be no traditional “family photo” this year and that some Western diplomats were unwilling to appear alongside Lavrov in an official portrait. Western diplomats told reporters that organizers had considered taking two photos, one with Lavrov and one without him, according to RFE/RL.

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said he would not avoid a group photograph with all participants because dialogue is part of his job, but he stressed there could be “no normalcy” with Moscow while the war in Ukraine continues, RFE/RL reported.

It is not the first time Europeans have balked at a G20 photo this year. At an August G20 finance meeting in Asheville, North Carolina, European representatives insisted that Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov be left out of the family photo, according to RFE/RL.

Lavrov himself remains under international sanctions, Agence France-Presse reported in a story published by The Hindu. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova complained that visas for the Russian delegation were resolved only at the last minute, RFE/RL reported.

Rubio’s ‘back to basics’ agenda

The State Department says the United States wants to bring the G20 “back to basics,” focused on economic growth, deregulation, innovation, energy and trade, according to RFE/RL. Other U.S. priorities include strengthening supply chains, protecting freedom of navigation and improving access to critical minerals, food and fertilizer, the outlet reported.

“Conversations in Atlanta will provide an opportunity to discuss energy and supply chain challenges as well as identify ways to collectively address the impact of geopolitical tensions on economic security,” a State Department official said, according to AFP.

Washington limited invitations to formal G20 members, leaving Ukraine and South Africa off the guest list, RFE/RL reported. China’s top diplomat, Wang Yi, is skipping the meeting and sending his deputy, the State Department said, according to AFP.

A test before Trump’s Miami summit

The Atlanta meeting sets the stage for the G20 leaders’ summit President Donald Trump will host in Miami in December, AFP reported. RFE/RL reported that Russian President Vladimir Putin has been invited, though it remains unclear whether he will attend.

A diplomatic source told AFP that instead of a joint final declaration, a chair’s summary drafted by the United States is expected to come out of this week’s meeting. The source said Russia’s presence at the G20 “in no way legitimises its actions,” AFP reported.

The bottom line: the Trump administration is keeping Moscow at the table while it pursues a Ukraine deal, and some European governments would rather skip the photo than be seen standing next to Russia’s top diplomat.

Sources

• Associated Press via The Washington Post
• Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty
• Agence France-Presse via The Hindu
• The Independent (AP wire)

Reporting by Daily Beltway.