The traditional group photograph to open the G20 foreign ministers’ meeting was abruptly cancelled in Atlanta on Friday. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio pulled the plug after approximately one-third of participating nations threatened to boycott the snapshot. The decision followed firm refusals from Australia, the United Kingdom, and several European Union member states to appear alongside Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
Diplomatic Boycotts Block Group Photo
European Union nations had previously stated they would not participate in any group image with Russian representatives. German Foreign Affairs Minister Johann Wadephul warned ahead of the session that there would be no photo with European partners and Lavrov because “there is no normality with Russia.” The UK Foreign Secretary, Ed Miliband, echoed this stance, noting that British officials do not engage in such displays with Russian counterparts.
Australia’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Penny Wong, used the opening session to condemn Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. She stated that the illegal war had negatively impacted international markets and worsened global food security. A spokesperson for Wong confirmed that Australia supported the US decision to cancel the group photo, emphasizing that Canberra would not normalize Russia’s actions.
Despite the cancellation, Rubio opened the talks with an appeal for unity on pressing issues. “We are in a critical moment,” Rubio told his colleagues. “We are facing a series of interconnected economic and geopolitical crises.” The meeting proceeded with discussions on trade and security, though the absence of the traditional photo op signaled the depth of the division.
Deepening Rifts and Excluded Nations
The schism in Atlanta underscores the rupture caused by the Trump administration’s efforts to reintegrate Russia into the international community. Diplomats described the opening session as cordial but noted that Russia’s position on Ukraine remains unyielding. Russia also opposes Poland’s bid for G20 membership, a move supported by the US.
These disagreements, along with the US decision not to invite South Africa, are expected to prevent the foreign ministers from issuing a joint communique when the meetings conclude on Saturday. South Africa, a founding G20 member and the only African nation in the group, was excluded due to bitter disputes with the Trump administration. Phindile Kunene, a spokesperson for South African International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola, stated that their nonparticipation was not voluntary.
Poland, attending as a guest while seeking formal membership, faced similar challenges. Polish Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski told reporters that agreeing on a common line was difficult given the ongoing wars and the presence of participants in those conflicts. “We have wars going on and we have participants in those wars around the table,” Sikorski said.
Ukraine, previously invited to G20 meetings, was not included this year. US officials described the exclusion as a deliberate choice to limit attendance to formal members. Despite the odds, several participants spoke on condition of anonymity, stating that all sides agreed to try to overcome differences. The goal remains to make next month’s G20 leaders’ summit in Florida, hosted by President Donald Trump, a success.
Source: The Guardian
