US cancels G20 foreign ministers' group photo over Lavrov dispute

The United States canceled the planned group photo of G20 foreign ministers during their meeting in Atlanta after European diplomats objected to appearing alongside Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and threatened to boycott the photo.

According to the Associated Press, US officials said Secretary of State Antony Blinken decided to cancel the photo, concluding that the controversy could distract from the meeting's agenda, which brings together top diplomats from the world's 20 largest economies.

Arrangements for the group photo had sparked disagreements among participants, with European objections to Lavrov's presence due to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.

The G20 foreign ministers' meetings are being held in Atlanta on Friday and Saturday, amid divisions over several international issues, including the war in Ukraine, tensions with Iran, trade disputes, and conflicts in the South China Sea.