The G20 foreign‑minister meeting in Atlanta collapsed its usual group photo when European officials pulled back, refusing to stand beside Russia’s Sergei Lavrov, a move that echoed last year’s diplomatic snubs.
The decision, made just before the meeting opened, follows a pattern this year where Western delegations have avoided pictures with the Russian team. A clear split over the Ukraine war.
Marco Rubio, who was slated to meet Lavrov in the opening plenary, said the world faces a "critical moment" to tackle intertwined crises, from energy price spikes to food supply disruptions. He also called for unity amid the chaos.
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul warned that "no normality" exists with Russia and urged Moscow to accept Ukraine’s ceasefire offer. The move could spill into the December summit.
The ministers will likely wrap up without a formal declaration, instead producing a U.S.-drafted chair summary that will precede the leaders’ gathering in Miami, where Trump plans to host the December summit. The focus will shift to trade and supply chains.
The timing, just days before the U.S. midterm elections, adds a layer of urgency to discussions on energy and critical mineral supply chains, sectors jolted by the war in Ukraine and by Iran‑related sanctions.