The two‑day G20 foreign ministers meeting opened in Atlanta on Friday, with 20 leaders, including Russia's Sergei Lavrov, in attendance.
European diplomats signaled their discontent by threatening to boycott the session; the UK Foreign Office reiterated its policy of avoiding direct engagement with Russian officials over the Ukraine war, while Polish Deputy Prime Minister Radosław Sikorski praised the decision to skip the photograph. German ambassador Johann Waephul warned that a photo would send a false sense of normality with Russia, underscoring the need for clear diplomatic messaging.
Lavrov’s presence is notable, as he has made only a handful of visits to NATO member states since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine and has faced mounting Western sanctions. The United States, meanwhile, has invited Russia to the summit despite ongoing conflict, a move that has drawn scrutiny from many G20 members.
In his opening address, Rubio urged unity amid global crises, highlighting threats to energy, food, trade and navigation. He noted the absence of consensus on key issues, from the Russia‑Ukraine war to US tariffs and China’s South China Sea actions, and warned that these disputes could destabilize the international economic order.
The meeting will continue to lay groundwork for the December leaders’ summit at Trump’s Miami golf club, though it remains uncertain whether Russian President Vladimir Putin will accept the invitation.