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U.S. cancels G20 group photo after European objections over Lavrov
The Associated Press reported Friday that the United States canceled a G20 foreign ministers group photo in Atlanta after European diplomats objected to appearing with Russia's Sergey Lavrov.
Based on reporting by AP
ATLANTA — The United States canceled a planned group photograph of Group of 20 foreign ministers on Friday after several European diplomats objected to appearing with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and said they would leave the photo session, according to the Associated Press, citing two U.S. officials who were not named1.
The AP said Secretary of State Marco Rubio canceled the picture after concluding the dispute would distract from the meeting1. The State Department had announced that Rubio would host the two-day gathering in Atlanta on Oct. 30-31. The AP said the meeting is meant to prepare for a G20 leaders summit President Donald Trump is to host at his Miami golf club in December1.
The AP reported that Russia's presence had already drawn concern from some G20 countries because of the war in Ukraine, and that Russia's Foreign Ministry, through spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, said visa problems for the delegation were resolved late and that Lavrov would argue for faster change at global economic institutions1. Ukraine, not a G20 member, was not invited this year; U.S. officials told the AP the guest list was limited to formal members1.
The AP, citing former U.S. diplomat Ian Kelly, said Lavrov's attendance would likely complicate any joint Western line on Ukraine1. Whether Russian President Vladimir Putin will attend the December summit was not known in the AP account1. The wire said U.S. officials named freedom of navigation, including in the Strait of Hormuz, the Red Sea, the Black Sea and the South China Sea, as a priority topic1.
