G20 family photo allegedly canceled over Russian presence

The G20 ministerial meeting in Atlanta on October 30 saw the cancellation of a customary family photo due to protests from European nations against Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov's attendance. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul confirmed that European representatives would not pose with Lavrov, who leads a Russian delegation promoting a multipolar world. The meeting, hosted by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, precedes a leaders' summit in Miami. Despite Ukraine's previous invitations to G20 events, it was not invited to this meeting. Lavrov's attendance follows a recent thaw in U.S.-Russian relations, which has drawn criticism from European capitals advocating for stronger measures against Russia.