By Salma El-Sakka
The traditional group photo of G20 foreign ministers was cancelled on Friday after several European leaders refused to be pictured alongside Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov at the meeting in Atlanta.
European leaders refuse joint photo with Lavrov
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio called off the photo opportunity on the summit's opening day, concluding the controversy would distract from the diplomatic work, according to US officials.
Rubio cancels traditional photo opportunity
The Atlanta gathering serves as a precursor to the G20 leaders' summit scheduled for December at President Donald Trump's Miami golf club. The cancellation has heightened concerns that the group will struggle to address pressing geopolitical issues, including the Russia-Ukraine conflict now in its fourth year.
Tensions over Russian invitation
Even before the photo dispute, some G20 members had objected to Russia's invitation amid its intensified attacks on Ukraine. Tensions rose after Trump waived new sanctions on Moscow and temporarily restricted logistical and intelligence aid to Ukraine.
Russian delegation visa issues
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said visa complications for the delegation, resolved only at the last minute, suggested "not everyone in Washington is happy" about Lavrov's attendance. She added Lavrov would push for "swift reform of global economic institutions."
Domestic political fallout for Trump
Lavrov has rarely visited NATO countries since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine and the imposition of severe sanctions. His presence in Atlanta is likely to create domestic political headaches for Trump days before the midterm elections, according to Ian Kelly, a former US ambassador to Georgia during Trump's first term.
Republican and Democratic reactions
Kelly described the invitation as "politically boneheaded," noting Republican lawmakers worried about losing congressional majorities are "cranky" with Trump's conciliatory stance toward Putin. Democrats could exploit the issue ahead of Tuesday's midterm election.
Implications for G20 unity
Kelly also warned that Lavrov's attendance will undermine efforts to forge a unified Western position on the Ukraine war. It remains unclear whether Russian President Vladimir Putin will accept Trump's invitation to the December summit in Florida.
