Jerusalem Post/World News

European officials had earlier suggested there might be two separate pictures - one with Lavrov and one without.

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Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov (2R), alongside Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan (3L) and Turkey's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan (R), arrives for the first plenary session at the G20 foreign ministers' meeting in Atl
Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov (2R), alongside Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan (3L) and Turkey's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan (R), arrives for the first plenary session at the G20 foreign ministers' meeting in Atlanta, Georgia on October 30, 2026.(photo credit: Erik S. Lesser / AFP via Getty Images)ByREUTERSOCTOBER 31, 2026 17:04

Foreign ministers from the G20 skipped a traditional group photo ahead of their meeting in Atlanta on Friday after European representatives objected to the presence of Russia.

A US official said the State Department removed the family photo from the official agenda because Washington did not want it to become a spectacle or distraction.

A third of the participants, including Australia and Canada, made clear they opposed the idea of being photographed alongside Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, a Western diplomat said.

"In no case will there be a family photo with European partners and Mr. Lavrov together because ... there is no normalcy with Russia," German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul told reporters before the first session on Friday.

Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov (L) attends the first plenary session during the G20 foreign ministers' meeting in Atlanta, Georgia on October 30, 2026.
Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov (L) attends the first plenary session during the G20 foreign ministers' meeting in Atlanta, Georgia on October 30, 2026. (credit: Erik S. Lesser / AFP via Getty Images)

Europeans suggest separate photos with, without Russia's Lavrov

European officials had earlier suggested there might be two separate pictures - one with Lavrov and one without.

European G20 members back Ukraine, which has objected to US President Donald Trump's recent decisions on Russia, including a deal to buy diesel and waive some sanctions.

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Source: The Jerusalem Post · REUTERS

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