G20 foreign ministers opened talks in Atlanta without a traditional group photo Friday, as objections to Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s presence underscored divisions ahead of the leaders’ summit.
The U.S. State Department’s agenda did not list a group portrait, The Straits Times reported. European officials had objected to Lavrov’s presence. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said European partners would not pose with him, telling reporters, “There is no normality with Russia.”
At the first plenary, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio called the period a “moment of choosing” and urged international cooperation. He said economic and geopolitical pressures facing the United States also had implications for other countries.
The two-day meeting is intended to prepare for the G20 leaders’ summit, scheduled for Dec. 14-15 at Trump National Doral in Miami. The State Department scheduled the summit, with President Donald Trump due to host. EconoTimes previously covered divisions over Ukraine and Iran at the Atlanta meeting. The foreign ministers’ talks are set to continue through Oct. 31.
