G20 cancels group photo after nations refuse to stand with Russia

Several countries refused to be photographed with Russia's foreign minister at the G20 meeting in Atlanta on Friday, so the United States cancelled the traditional group photo.

The photo was planned for 10am but never happened. Australia, the UK, Germany and other nations said they would not take part. About one-third of the countries at the meeting declined. The UK said it does not engage directly with Russian ministers because of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Australia said it would not do anything that makes the invasion seem normal.

A US official said cancelling the photo avoided a "diplomatic distraction" and let ministers focus on real discussions. Russia's Sergey Lavrov had been invited by the American hosts.