G20 foreign ministers skip photo-op amid objections over Russia

G20 foreign ministers skipped a traditional group photo in Atlanta after European representatives objected to Russia's presence. The US State Department removed the photo from the agenda to avoid spectacle. A third of participants, including Australia and Canada, opposed being photographed with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

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 being photographed alongside Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, a Western diplomat said. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul told reporters before the first session: "In no case will there be a family photo with European partners and Mr. Lavrov together because ... there is no normalcy with Russia." 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.