US CANCELS G20 PHOTO AFTER EUROPEAN DELEGATIONS REFUSE TO POSE

The United States cancelled a group photograph at Friday’s G20 foreign ministers’ meeting in Atlanta after European delegations refused to pose with Russia’s foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov. UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband was among those who declined to take part. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio hosted the gathering, where the photograph would normally include representatives from all attending countries. A US official said the hosts cancelled it after some delegations said they would not participate.

Addressing Lavrov at the meeting, Miliband said: “We all know who the aggressor in this war is.” He accused Russian drones of killing 15 people at Dnipro railway the previous day and said Russia had killed civilians throughout its war in Ukraine. Miliband called on G20 members to work harder for a “just and lasting peace in Ukraine” and to apply economic and diplomatic pressure on Russia. He said the war disrupted energy and supplies and worsened food insecurity. A British official said the UK maintained a policy against direct bilateral engagement with Russian ministers following the invasion of Ukraine.

Ukraine, which is not a G20 member, did not receive an invitation to the Atlanta meeting, though it has attended similar gatherings in recent years. Some G20 countries raised concerns about Russia’s invitation amid its attacks on Ukraine. Relations between Kyiv and Washington have been strained this month over Ukrainian strikes on oil infrastructure inside Russia. US President Donald Trump waived some sanctions on Moscow, while the United States temporarily limited logistical and intelligence assistance to Ukraine.