G20 cancels group photo after Western nations refuse to stand with Russia

The United States cancelled the traditional group photo at the G20 Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Atlanta on Friday. The photo was planned for 10am but never happened. Several Western countries, including the UK, Australia, Canada, and Germany, refused to stand alongside Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio made the decision to cancel, because he did not want the event to become a spectacle. The UK said it does not meet directly with Russian ministers since Russia invaded Ukraine. Australia said it would not treat Russia's actions as normal. The photo is a ceremonial tradition at G20 meetings, meant to show unity. Its cancellation shows how deeply divided member countries are over Russia and the war in Ukraine.