Kommentar: Das Gebaren Lawrows ist unerträglich – Trump macht’s möglich

The behavior of Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov is utterly intolerable, and it is made possible by the actions of US Ambassador to the G20 Marco Rubio, according to a recent comment. The Russian minister clashed with his European counterparts and the American host over the appropriateness of a group photo at the G20 summit in Atlanta.

Amidst this, Putin, the ruler in Moscow, walks confidently through Ukraine, leaving a trail of blood in his wake. One cannot help but wonder whether the scandal is more severe: Lavrov being invited to attend, or the German Foreign Minister, his European colleagues, and Rubio standing together at the evening reception in the Oceans Ballroom of the Georgia Aquarium, laughing and chatting while Ukrainians, mothers, and countless soldiers continue to perish.

The Europeans may feel relief in refusing to pose for a photo with Lavrov; however, their protest is far from impressive. A complete boycott would have made a stronger impact in Moscow. The fact that nothing substantial would come out of this meeting, except allowing the Russian side to pretend normalcy on the diplomatic front, was foreseeable.