U.S. scraps G20 group photo after European ministers object to posing with Lavrov; Rubio defends inviting Russia
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Published by The Dispute Index editorial teamPublished Updated
Overview
The United States canceled the group photo at the G20 foreign ministers' meeting in Atlanta after several European ministers objected to posing with Russia's Sergey Lavrov. Rubio said the United States has to talk to Russia to help end the war in Ukraine.
Read the full background
The United States hosted the G20 foreign ministers' meeting in Atlanta on Oct. 30 and 31, 2026, ahead of a leaders' summit that President Donald Trump is hosting at his Miami golf club in December. Russia was invited, and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, who is under U.S. sanctions, attended. Ukraine, which is not a G20 member but had attended earlier meetings, was not invited, and neither was South Africa, a founding member.
On the morning of Oct. 30, the traditional group photo of the ministers was called off. The Associated Press reported that several European officials objected to being photographed with Lavrov and that Secretary of State Marco Rubio canceled the photo after deciding the controversy would be a distraction, according to two U.S. officials. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said there would be no group photo showing European partners together with Lavrov, and Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski called the cancellation the right decision. A UK government source told PA Media that the UK would not take part in any official picture with the Russian foreign minister.
Lavrov told reporters that day that his short talk with Rubio had been decent. TRT World reported that he praised Washington's readiness to engage with Moscow and accused Europeans of an arrogant boycott. At his closing press availability on Oct. 31, Rubio said Russia had to be part of the G20 conversation because a negotiated end to the war in Ukraine requires talking to both sides, and that meeting someone does not legitimize them.
Two days before the meeting, Rep. Don Bacon, a Nebraska Republican, wrote that Lavrov should not be allowed in the country.
People in this case
Marco RubioDirectly involved
Sergey LavrovDirectly involved
Johann WadephulDirectly involved
Emily ThornberryCommented
Timeline
3 timeline entries on this page. Dates: October 30, 2026 to October 31, 2026
October 2026
United States drops the G20 group photo after European objections to Lavrov
On the opening day of the G20 foreign ministers' meeting in Atlanta, the United States drops the traditional group photo after several European officials object to being photographed with Lavrov. The AP reports that Rubio decided the controversy would be a distraction, according to two U.S. officials.
[01]Associated Press
Associated Press report from Atlanta on the opening day of the G20 foreign ministers' meeting. It says the U.S. scrapped the traditional group photo after several Europeans objected to being photographed with Sergey Lavrov, that Rubio decided the controversy would be a distraction according to two U.S. officials, and quotes Radoslaw Sikorski, Johann Wadephul and Russian ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova.
U.S. scraps G20 group photo over discord at Atlanta gathering · Associated PressFull article, as published by WRDW/WAGT[02]Reuters
Reuters report from Atlanta, reported by Andrea Shalal, that G20 foreign ministers skipped the traditional group photo after European representatives objected to Russia's presence. It quotes Wadephul saying there would be no family photo with European partners and Lavrov together and reports that European officials had suggested two separate pictures.
G20 foreign ministers skip photo-op amid objections over Russia · ReutersFull Reuters report, English text, as republished by Internazionale[03]US cancels traditional G20 photo after European diplomats refuse to pose with Lavrov
Kyiv Post report on the cancellation of the G20 group photo in Atlanta on Oct. 30, 2026. It says Lavrov arrived in Atlanta that day despite calls from U.S. lawmakers to bar him, quotes a British official on the UK's policy toward Russian ministers and a U.S. official on why the photo was dropped, and quotes Rep. Don Bacon's Oct. 28 statement.
Lavrov criticizes Europeans after the photo is dropped
Lavrov tells reporters in Atlanta that his short talk with Rubio was decent. TRT World reports that he praised Washington's readiness to engage with Moscow and accused Europeans of an arrogant boycott.
[04]Lavrov calls talk with Rubio decent, accuses Europeans of arrogant boycott at G20 summit
TRT World report on Lavrov's remarks to reporters in Atlanta on October 30, 2026. It quotes him calling his brief talk with Rubio decent and reports that he praised Washington's readiness to engage with Moscow while accusing Europeans of an arrogant boycott, and quotes Kaja Kallas saying Lavrov put forward lies and false narratives.
Rubio defends including Russia at his closing press availability
At his closing press availability, Rubio says the president thought Russia should be part of the G20 conversation because a negotiated end to the war in Ukraine requires talking to both sides, and that meeting someone does not legitimize them.
[05]U.S. Department of State
State Department transcript of Rubio's closing press availability after the G20 foreign ministers' meeting in Atlanta on October 31, 2026. A reporter asks why it is important to have Lavrov at the meeting and possibly Putin at the Miami summit, citing Kaja Kallas and other critics; Rubio answers that talking to Russia is needed to negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine and does not legitimize it.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio at a Press Availability (Atlanta, October 31, 2026), answer on Sergey Lavrov's participation · U.S. Department of StateQuestion on Sergey Lavrov's participation in the G20 ministerial and Rubio's answer[06]U.S. Department of State
Official State Department video of Rubio's closing press availability after the G20 foreign ministers' meeting in Atlanta on October 31, 2026. In this passage a reporter asks why Lavrov was invited and whether Putin may attend the Miami summit, and Rubio answers that the United States must be able to talk to Russia to mediate an end to the war in Ukraine.
Secretary Rubio holds a press availability on the G20 Foreign Ministers Meeting in Atlanta, Georgia (answer on Lavrov's participation) · U.S. Department of State22:55 to 25:37, question on Sergey Lavrov's participation and Rubio's answer
Claims
Claims separate what was said from what is contested. Follow each source for the original wording and context.
What's disputed
Disputed claim
Russia needs to take part in G20 talks because a negotiated end to the war in Ukraine requires the United States to talk to both Russia and Ukraine, and meeting with Russian officials does not legitimize them.
What is disputed
Several European G20 members objected to Lavrov's presence in Atlanta, and some of their ministers refused to be photographed with him, which led the United States to cancel the group photo. Some members of Congress argued that Russian leaders should not be welcomed at such forums while Russia wages war on Ukraine.
Sources (2)
- Secretary of State Marco Rubio at a Press Availability (Atlanta, October 31, 2026), answer on Sergey Lavrov's participation · U.S. Department of StateQuestion on Sergey Lavrov's participation in the G20 ministerial and Rubio's answer
- Secretary Rubio holds a press availability on the G20 Foreign Ministers Meeting in Atlanta, Georgia (answer on Lavrov's participation) · U.S. Department of State22:55 to 25:37, question on Sergey Lavrov's participation and Rubio's answer
Disputed claim
Russian leaders should not be welcomed at forums like the G20 while Vladimir Putin wages war against Ukraine, and Lavrov should not be allowed into the United States.
What is disputed
The Trump administration invited Russia to the Atlanta meeting, and Rubio said the United States has to be able to talk to Russia to mediate an end to the war in Ukraine.
Sources (1)
- Rep. Don Bacon's X post saying Lavrov should not be allowed in the country · Don BaconX post of Oct. 28, 2026, 18:12 UTC, full text
Response record
Responses
Choose one response filter, or select All responses to see the full record.
4 responses. Newest first.
Marco RubioU.S. Secretary of State, at a press availability after the G20 foreign ministers' meeting in AtlantaDirectly involvedBefore this statement
A reporter asked why it was important to have Lavrov at the meeting and possibly Putin at the Miami summit in December, noting that some of Rubio's counterparts had criticized Lavrov's inclusion. Rubio said the president thought Russia should be part of the G20 conversation, that ending the war in Ukraine peacefully requires a negotiated settlement and talking to both sides, and that the president does not view meeting with someone as legitimizing everything they do.
"But we have to be able to talk to the Russian side. And one of the ways to do that is to invite them to forums like this, where they're not just hearing from us, but potentially hearing from other countries that are there as well."
Defended or excusedResponding to: Russia needs to take part in G20 talks because a negotiated end to the war in Ukraine requires the United States to talk to both Russia and Ukraine, and meeting with Russian officials does not legitimize them.
Full statement and sources
Asked why Lavrov was at the Atlanta meeting, Rubio says the United States has to be able to talk to both Russia and Ukraine to mediate an end to the war, and that inviting Russia to forums like the G20 lets it hear from other countries as well.
After the statement
Rubio then took the next question. Asked about his interaction with Lavrov, he said the two did not have a meeting but spoke briefly about a possible meeting of their leaders at APEC and about the G20.
Secretary Rubio holds a press availability on the G20 Foreign Ministers Meeting in Atlanta, Georgia (answer on Lavrov's participation) · U.S. Department of State22:55 to 25:37, question on Sergey Lavrov's participation and Rubio's answerSecretary of State Marco Rubio at a Press Availability (Atlanta, October 31, 2026), answer on Sergey Lavrov's participation · U.S. Department of StateQuestion on Sergey Lavrov's participation in the G20 ministerial and Rubio's answerWhy this label?
The reference point is the United States' decision to bring Russia, represented by Lavrov, into the G20 foreign ministers' talks in Atlanta. Rubio, the host, defends that decision, saying the United States has to be able to talk to Russia to help end the war in Ukraine and that inviting Russia to such forums is one way to do so.
This label describes the statement's response within the context above.
Johann WadephulFederal Foreign Minister of Germany, speaking to reporters before the G20 foreign ministers' meeting in AtlantaDirectly involvedBefore this statement
Shortly before the meeting began, Wadephul said he assumed there would be no group photo at all, and that in any case there would be no group photo showing European partners together with Lavrov.
"There is no such thing as 'business as usual' with Russia. We need to discuss our differences right here at the table."
Mixed or conditionalCase context: U.S. scraps G20 group photo after European ministers object to posing with Lavrov; Rubio defends inviting Russia
Full statement and sources
Before the Atlanta meeting began, Wadephul said there would be no group photo showing European partners together with Lavrov, that there is no business as usual with Russia, and that differences must be discussed at the table.
After the statement
Wadephul said that is why the dialogue is important, but that the ministers must also be careful not to send the wrong signals.
G20 foreign ministers' meeting in the U.S. sends a message to MoscowFull article (dpa report published by blue News)G20 foreign ministers skip photo-op amid objections over Russia · ReutersFull Reuters report, English text, as republished by InternazionaleWhy this label?
The reference point is the United States' decision to bring Russia, represented by Lavrov, into the G20 foreign ministers' talks in Atlanta. Wadephul accepts discussing differences with Russia at the table but refuses a group photo with Lavrov and says there is no business as usual with Russia, a conditional position.
This label describes the statement's response within the context above.
Emily ThornberryChair of the House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee, on BBC Radio 4's PM programmeBefore this statement
PA Media reported that the United States scrapped the G20 photocall after Ed Miliband and other European ministers refused to be pictured with Lavrov. Thornberry said she could understand why some countries would want to speak to officials from Moscow, but that you would not want to have your photo taken at the moment with the Russians.
"The point is, if there's going to be foreign ministers meeting, there's no point in meeting them just to smile sweetly and pretend everything's OK because everything is not OK"
Mixed or conditionalCase context: U.S. scraps G20 group photo after European ministers object to posing with Lavrov; Rubio defends inviting Russia
Full statement and sources
Speaking on BBC Radio 4 after the G20 photocall was scrapped, Thornberry says she understands why some countries would talk to Moscow but would not want to be photographed with the Russians, and that any meeting should be used to tell Russia to stop the war.
After the statement
She said ministers should use the meeting as an opportunity to make it perfectly clear that Europe is united behind Ukraine and that Russia has to stop the war.
Miliband boycotted cancelled G20 photocall with Russian envoy over UkraineFull article (PA Media report published by The Irish News)Why this label?
The reference point is the United States' decision to bring Russia, represented by Lavrov, into the G20 foreign ministers' talks in Atlanta. Thornberry accepts that ministers may meet Russian officials but says she would not want to be photographed with them and that any meeting should be used to press Russia to stop the war, a conditional position.
This label describes the statement's response within the context above.
Don BaconU.S. representative from Nebraska (Republican), on his X accountBefore this statement
Bacon posted on Wednesday, Oct. 28, ahead of the G20 foreign ministers' meeting in Atlanta, which Lavrov was to attend despite calls from U.S. lawmakers to bar him from the country.
"Lavrov should not be allowed in the country. As long as Putin is waging war against Ukraine and bombing cities, Russian leaders should not be welcomed in any of these forums. They lead a pariah state."
CondemnedResponding to: Russian leaders should not be welcomed at forums like the G20 while Vladimir Putin wages war against Ukraine, and Lavrov should not be allowed into the United States.
Full statement and sources
Two days before the G20 foreign ministers' meeting in Atlanta, Bacon writes that Lavrov should not be allowed in the country and that Russian leaders should not be welcomed in such forums while Putin wages war on Ukraine.
After the statement
Lavrov arrived in Atlanta on Oct. 30 and attended the meeting. The Kyiv Post reported that day that the United States dropped the traditional group photo after several European diplomats declined to pose alongside him.
Rep. Don Bacon's X post saying Lavrov should not be allowed in the country · Don BaconX post of Oct. 28, 2026, 18:12 UTC, full textWhy this label?
The reference point is the United States' decision to bring Russia, represented by Lavrov, into the G20 foreign ministers' talks in Atlanta. Bacon says Lavrov should not be allowed in the country and that Russian leaders should not be welcomed in such forums while the war continues, condemning the invitation.
This label describes the statement's response within the context above.
Sources
(9)
Reporting
U.S. scraps G20 group photo over discord at Atlanta gathering
Relevant passage: Full article, as published by WRDW/WAGT
About this source
Associated Press report from Atlanta on the opening day of the G20 foreign ministers' meeting. It says the U.S. scrapped the traditional group photo after several Europeans objected to being photographed with Sergey Lavrov, that Rubio decided the controversy would be a distraction according to two U.S. officials, and quotes Radoslaw Sikorski, Johann Wadephul and Russian ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova.
- Author
- The Associated Press
- Published
- Accessed
Reporting
US cancels traditional G20 photo after European diplomats refuse to pose with Lavrov
Relevant passage: Full article
About this source
Kyiv Post report on the cancellation of the G20 group photo in Atlanta on Oct. 30, 2026. It says Lavrov arrived in Atlanta that day despite calls from U.S. lawmakers to bar him, quotes a British official on the UK's policy toward Russian ministers and a U.S. official on why the photo was dropped, and quotes Rep. Don Bacon's Oct. 28 statement.
- Author
- Kyiv Post
- Published
- Accessed
Original video
Secretary Rubio holds a press availability on the G20 Foreign Ministers Meeting in Atlanta, Georgia (answer on Lavrov's participation)
Marco Rubio answers a question about Sergey Lavrov's participation at his press availability after the G20 foreign ministers' meeting in Atlanta, October 31, 2026.
Excerpt from 22:55 to 25:38 of the U.S. Department of State video. DI added its logo in the corner.
Video: U.S. Department of State. Public domain (U.S. government work) (opens in a new tab)
Watch the full original video (opens in a new tab) (relevant passage: 22:55 to 25:37, question on Sergey Lavrov's participation and Rubio's answer)
About this source
Official State Department video of Rubio's closing press availability after the G20 foreign ministers' meeting in Atlanta on October 31, 2026. In this passage a reporter asks why Lavrov was invited and whether Putin may attend the Miami summit, and Rubio answers that the United States must be able to talk to Russia to mediate an end to the war in Ukraine.
- Author
- U.S. Department of State
- Published
- Accessed
Reporting
Lavrov calls talk with Rubio decent, accuses Europeans of arrogant boycott at G20 summit
Relevant passage: Full article
About this source
TRT World report on Lavrov's remarks to reporters in Atlanta on October 30, 2026. It quotes him calling his brief talk with Rubio decent and reports that he praised Washington's readiness to engage with Moscow while accusing Europeans of an arrogant boycott, and quotes Kaja Kallas saying Lavrov put forward lies and false narratives.
- Author
- TRT World
- Published
- Accessed
Original post
Rep. Don Bacon's X post saying Lavrov should not be allowed in the country
About this source
Post on Bacon's official X account two days before the G20 foreign ministers' meeting in Atlanta, saying Lavrov should not be allowed in the country and that Russian leaders should not be welcomed in such forums while Putin wages war on Ukraine.
- Author
- Don Bacon
- Published
- Accessed
Reporting
Miliband boycotted cancelled G20 photocall with Russian envoy over Ukraine
Relevant passage: Full article (PA Media report published by The Irish News)
About this source
PA Media report that the U.S. scrapped the G20 photocall after Ed Miliband and other European ministers refused to be pictured with Lavrov. It quotes a UK government source on the UK's policy of no direct bilateral engagement with Russian ministers and quotes Emily Thornberry, chair of the Commons foreign affairs committee, from BBC Radio 4's PM programme.
- Author
- PA Media
- Published
- Accessed
Reporting
G20 foreign ministers' meeting in the U.S. sends a message to Moscow
Relevant passage: Full article (dpa report published by blue News)
About this source
German Press Agency (dpa) report, published in English by the Swiss outlet blue News, on Johann Wadephul's statement shortly before the G20 foreign ministers' meeting began in Atlanta. It quotes him saying there would be no group photo showing European partners together with Lavrov, that there is no business as usual with Russia, and that differences must be discussed at the table.
- Author
- dpa
- Published
- Accessed
Reporting
G20 foreign ministers skip photo-op amid objections over Russia
Relevant passage: Full Reuters report, English text, as republished by Internazionale
About this source
Reuters report from Atlanta, reported by Andrea Shalal, that G20 foreign ministers skipped the traditional group photo after European representatives objected to Russia's presence. It quotes Wadephul saying there would be no family photo with European partners and Lavrov together and reports that European officials had suggested two separate pictures.
- Author
- Andrea Shalal
- Published
- Accessed
Original text
Secretary of State Marco Rubio at a Press Availability (Atlanta, October 31, 2026), answer on Sergey Lavrov's participation
Relevant passage: Question on Sergey Lavrov's participation in the G20 ministerial and Rubio's answer
About this source
State Department transcript of Rubio's closing press availability after the G20 foreign ministers' meeting in Atlanta on October 31, 2026. A reporter asks why it is important to have Lavrov at the meeting and possibly Putin at the Miami summit, citing Kaja Kallas and other critics; Rubio answers that talking to Russia is needed to negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine and does not legitimize it.
- Author
- U.S. Department of State, Office of the Spokesperson
- Published
- Accessed
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- Title
- U.S. scraps G20 group photo after European ministers object to posing with Lavrov; Rubio defends inviting Russia
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- Last updated
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The Dispute Index. "U.S. scraps G20 group photo after European ministers object to posing with Lavrov; Rubio defends inviting Russia". First published: 2026-11-03. Last updated: 2026-11-03. https://disputeindex.com/cases/g20-atlanta-group-photo-lavrov-rubio-russia