US cancels G20 group photo in Atlanta over Russia dispute

The United States scrapped plans for a group photograph with G20 foreign ministers in Atlanta on Thursday. U.S. officials said the cancellation came after several European diplomats objected to posing with Russia's top diplomat, Sergey Lavrov. Some envoys threatened to walk out of the photo session if Lavrov remained in the frame.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio is chairing the two-day meeting that runs Friday and Saturday. The gathering sets the stage for a leaders' summit in December at President Donald Trump's golf club in Miami. Rubio decided to drop the photo to avoid a distraction. Two U.S. officials described the matter as sensitive and spoke on condition of anonymity.

Deep disagreements among member nations complicate the talks. The group faces rifts over the war in Ukraine, the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, and trade disputes involving China. These issues have driven up global fuel costs and created uncertainty in trade routes. U.S. officials identified freedom of navigation as their top priority. They plan to discuss the Strait of Hormuz, the Red Sea, the Black Sea, and the South China Sea.

Russia's presence in Atlanta has roiled Western allies. Lavrov has rarely visited NATO member states since the invasion of Ukraine in 2022. His foreign ministry said visa issues for his delegation were resolved at the last minute. Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said the complications created an impression that not everyone in Washington was happy with his attendance. She said Lavrov would advocate for a multipolar world.

Ukraine, which attended previous meetings, was not invited this year. U.S. officials said they chose to include only formal G20 members. South Africa, the group's only African country, is also missing. A spokesperson for South Africa said its nonparticipation was not voluntary. Phindile Kunene said the country is ready to join on equal footing when Britain takes the presidency next year.

Elaine Dezenski of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies called the meeting a test. She said the U.S. can build cooperation with partners even if full consensus is out of reach. Ian Kelly, a former U.S. ambassador to Georgia, said inviting Lavrov was politically risky for Trump days before the midterm elections. Kelly noted that the attendance will likely hurt efforts to produce a unified approach on the Russia-Ukraine war.

The State Department said Rubio views the event as a chance to advance practical cooperation on economic and security challenges. The department pointed to threats to energy security, food security, and critical mineral supply chains. U.S. officials remain skeptical that all members will overcome their substantial differences.