G20 DIVISIONS DEEPEN — ALLIES REFUSE LAVROV PHOTO AS UKRAINE GOES UNINVITED
Disagreements over Russia’s war against Ukraine and the Middle East are overshadowing the G20 foreign ministers’ meeting in Atlanta, with diplomats expecting little prospect of a joint declaration.
Washington wants discussions focused on energy, trade imbalances and critical minerals, including reducing dependence on China. But participants cannot separate those economic questions from the wars driving instability and disrupting supplies.
The divisions became visible before the traditional group photograph could even happen. European representatives refused to stand alongside Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, with Canada and Australia also objecting. The United States removed the photograph from the agenda.
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul made the position clear: “There is no normalcy with Russia.”
Lavrov attended at US Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s invitation. Ukraine received no invitation, while South Africa—a G20 member—was also excluded by Washington.
Trump’s Russian diesel agreement and sanctions relief add another point of friction between the United States and partners seeking sustained pressure on Moscow.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas says she will press for stronger support for Ukraine and accountability through the Special Tribunal and Claims Commission.
The photo dispute carries a larger message. Russia’s presence at a diplomatic meeting cannot be allowed to create the impression that its aggression has become acceptable.
Discussing economic stability while overlooking the destruction of Ukraine would leave the central problem untouched. Moscow’s war belongs at the heart of the conversation—and Ukraine’s voice deserves to be heard.