After Miliband refuses picture with Russian foreign minister, G20 photocall cancelled in Atlanta
Photograph dropped at meeting
The planned group photograph at Friday’s G20 meeting was cancelled after British foreign secretary Ed Miliband and European counterparts declined to appear alongside Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov. Two US officials, speaking to the Associated Press, said Rubio decided to cancel the picture because he considered the controversy a distraction. Some G20 members had already objected to the US invitation to Russia amid intensified attacks on Ukraine.
Miliband challenges Lavrov
Miliband raised a drone attack on Dnipro railway the previous day, saying 15 people had been killed. He also accused Russia of killing civilians throughout the war and said, “you are not winning this war.” He argued that Lavrov should tell Vladimir Putin that Russia would not prevail. The article also includes a statement attributed to “They,” saying the foreign secretary was in Atlanta focused on global challenges driving up costs at home; it does not identify who “They” refers to.
Different views on engagement
Polish deputy prime minister Radosław Sikorski told reporters in Atlanta that he was not alone in refusing to be photographed with Lavrov. He also said the disputes had to be discussed at the table, according to German news agency dpa.
Disputes cloud G20 talks
The diplomats showed no sign of agreement on several contentious issues. These included the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran, U.S. tariffs and Chinese activity in the South China Sea. The article says these issues have contributed to rising global fuel costs and uncertainty over trade.
Key points
- The G20 group photograph was cancelled after Miliband and European counterparts declined to pose with Lavrov.
- Two US officials said Rubio scrapped the picture to avoid a distracting controversy.
- Miliband cited a drone attack that killed 15 people and told Lavrov Russia was not winning the war.
- G20 diplomats faced unresolved conflicts and trade disputes linked to higher fuel costs and uncertainty.