European diplomats shun Russia at G20 gathering in the US

At the G20 gathering in Atlanta, European diplomats deliberately avoided taking a family photo with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio canceled the photo session, fearing it would become a spectacle or distraction. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul explained that there was no normalcy with Russia.

The two-day G20 meeting, which includes the EU, Russia, Germany, India, China, Brazil and other major nations, is viewed as a prelude to a December leaders summit hosted by US President Donald Trump at his Miami golf club. While the G20 aims to address interconnected economic and geopolitical crises, tensions remain high due to Russia's involvement in conflicts in Iran and Ukraine, causing food price spikes worldwide.

The US has invited Russian President Vladimir Putin to the meeting, but Russia's response is unclear. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has expressed openness to talks with Putin if he attends the G20 in Miami. Lavrov announced Russia's willingness to meet with Zelenskyy in Moscow, provided his safety is guaranteed. European Union's Kaja Kallas criticized Lavrov for spreading lies during the G20 discussions.

British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband emphasized the need for just and lasting peace in Ukraine. Lavrov claimed no real progress in US-Russia relations since the invitation, despite the Trump administration's recent diesel deal and sanctions waiver. South Africa, a G20 founding member, was not invited to this year's meeting, while the US imposed visa restrictions on South Africans accused of discriminating against white people.