G20 Talks Expose Deep Divisions Over Russia and Iran

European diplomats declined to participate in a planned G20 group photograph with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, prompting the US hosts to cancel the “family photo” at the Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Atlanta. A US official said the decision was made after it became clear that some delegations would not join, and that cancelling the ceremony would keep attention on substantive discussions rather than create a diplomatic distraction. At the summit, UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband directly accused Russia of being the aggressor in the war and of killing civilians in Ukraine. He urged G20 members to work harder for a just and lasting peace and called for economic and diplomatic pressure on Moscow. A British official said the UK’s longstanding policy is not to hold direct bilateral talks with Russian ministers since the invasion. Ukraine, which is not a G20 member, was not invited to this meeting. Its relations with the US have been strained amid a dispute between President Volodymyr Zelensky and President Donald Trump over Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil infrastructure. Meanwhile, US-Russia relations have partly thawed: Trump has suspended some Russian sanctions and agreed to a deal to import Russian diesel, saying the sanctions move is intended to keep Moscow negotiating. Zelensky denounced the arrangement as a “gift” to Vladimir Putin and an investment in prolonging the war. The US has also approved more than $2bn in Patriot missile sales to Ukraine. The article notes that Russia launched its full-scale invasion in 2022, controls about a fifth of Ukrainian territory, and has recently intensified missile and drone attacks on Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities.

The United States cancelled a planned group photograph of G20 foreign ministers in Atlanta after several European diplomats objected to appearing alongside Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and threatened to leave. Two US officials, speaking anonymously, said Secretary of State Marco Rubio made the decision to prevent further controversy. The ministers’ meeting itself will proceed as planned, ahead of a G20 leaders’ summit that President Donald Trump is due to host at his Miami golf club in December. At the opening of the talks, Rubio described the moment as critical for the United States and the world, citing interconnected economic and geopolitical crises that he said threaten the foundations of the global economic order. The dispute over the photo underscored divisions among G20 members as they prepare to discuss the war in Ukraine, the US-Israeli war against Iran, US tariffs, and South China Sea disputes. Polish Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski called the cancellation the right decision, saying he was not alone in wishing to avoid a photograph with Lavrov. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said there was “no normality with Russia,” while also stressing that contentious issues should be discussed at the negotiating table and that participants should avoid sending falsely optimistic signals. Concerns about Russia’s invitation had been raised by several G20 countries even before the photo dispute, amid intensified Russian attacks on Ukraine. Tensions have also increased following Trump’s decision to waive new sanctions on Moscow and temporarily restrict logistical and intelligence support for Kyiv, further straining US-Ukraine relations. The episode illustrates how Russia’s participation and broader geopolitical disagreements are complicating diplomacy at the meeting.

The war with Iran and its effects on energy supplies, shipping and trade are expected to dominate the G20 foreign ministers’ meeting in Atlanta, even as the United States seeks to refocus the group on economic growth. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is hosting the gathering, which begins Friday and takes place amid disputes over Russia’s war in Ukraine, China’s economic policies and Washington’s decision to exclude South Africa while inviting Russia but not Ukraine. The meeting’s agenda includes energy and food security, freedom of navigation and supply-chain risks. A State Department official said affordable and abundant energy access is essential to economic growth. The US hopes G20 members can discuss shared economic risks despite their political differences, and may issue chair’s conclusions, though it is unclear how well those would reflect participants’ differing views. French diplomatic sources do not expect a joint declaration. Russia’s participation is particularly contentious. Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov is due to attend, while European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas says she will call for greater support for Ukraine and accountability for Russia. President Donald Trump’s administration has also waived sanctions to allow Russian diesel exports, a move criticized by opponents who say the revenue could support Russia’s war effort or its ties with Iran. Other participants are expected to press their own priorities. Turkey plans to urge dialogue between Washington and Tehran and raise concerns about attacks on Gulf shipping and energy infrastructure. France will advocate maritime-security co-operation, including around the Strait of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandab, as well as energy diversification and a transition away from fossil fuels. Those proposals may conflict with the Trump administration’s support for increased drilling. The Atlanta meeting is the final ministerial gathering under the US G20 presidency before leaders meet in Miami on December 14 and 15. Russian President Vladimir Putin has not said whether he will attend.