World News
US officials say G20 group photo scrapped after European objections to Lavrov
Secretary of State Marco Rubio chairs the Atlanta meeting Friday and Saturday, while Russia and South Africa have raised attendance concerns.
The short version
- US officials say the planned G20 group photo was scrapped after several European diplomats objected to appearing with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and threatened to walk out.[Associated Press]
- Secretary of State Marco Rubio is chairing the G20 gathering in Atlanta on Friday and Saturday.[Associated Press · ABC News]
- Russia's foreign ministry said visa problems for its delegation were resolved only at the last minute, and South Africa says its absence from the meetings was not voluntary.[Associated Press · ABC News]
Key facts
- US officials said the group photo at the G20 foreign ministers meeting was scrapped after several European diplomats objected to being photographed with Lavrov and threatened to walk out.[Associated Press]
- Rubio is chairing the G20 gathering in Atlanta on Friday and Saturday.[Associated Press · ABC News]
- Russia's foreign ministry complained of visa issues for its delegation that were resolved only at the last minute.[Associated Press · ABC News]
- South Africa said its absence from the Atlanta meetings was not voluntary.[Associated Press]
What remains uncertain
- The group photo account rests on statements from U.S. officials, and the reporting does not include independent confirmation.[Associated Press]
Sources
Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.
- G20 diplomats, including from China and Russia, face deep rifts as they prepare to meet in AtlantaABC News - US News
- Deep rifts among G20 diplomats, including from China and Russia, prompt US to ditch group photo planAssociated Press · Wire: associated-press