The G20 Foreign Ministers Meeting held in Atlanta, USA, witnessed diplomatic tension due to Russia's attacks on Ukraine.
The traditional family photo organization of the meeting was canceled after European foreign ministers refused to take a photo with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
The development at the meeting hosted by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio once again revealed the differences of opinion between Western countries and Russia.
According to Reuters, about a third of the participants, including Australia and Canada, did not want to be in the same photo with Lavrov.
Speaking to the BBC, two officials confirmed that the traditional photo shoot, which was planned to be held on Friday and brought together representatives of the countries participating in the meeting, was cancelled.
A US official said that the organization was canceled after it was understood that some delegations did not want to participate in the joint photo.
The official stated that this decision was taken to prevent the photo shoot from turning into a diplomatic discussion and to ensure that the talks focus on the main agenda items.
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul also emphasized that relations with Russia were not normalized and announced that they would not participate in a joint photo with Lavrov.
FROM ENGLAND TO LAVROV: WE KNOW WHO THE ATTACKER IS
Speaking at the meeting, British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband directly addressed his Russian counterpart Lavrov and accused the Moscow administration of causing the death of civilians in Ukraine.
"I want to say this directly to the Russian Foreign Minister: We all know who the aggressor is in this war," Miliband said.
Stating that G20 countries should make more efforts to ensure a fair and lasting peace in Ukraine, Miliband also drew attention to the effects of the war on the global economy.
He said Russia's attacks caused the deaths of thousands of civilians, caused disruptions in energy and supply chains, and increased food insecurity.
Miliband stated that the war is not only a test for Europe or NATO and called for increasing economic and diplomatic pressure to prevent Russian President Vladimir Putin from continuing to finance the war.
UKRAINE WAS NOT INVITED TO THE MEETING
Ukraine, which is not a G20 member, has been invited to similar international meetings in previous years. However, Ukrainian representatives were not invited to the meeting in Atlanta.
Speaking to the BBC, a British official said that the London administration has maintained its policy of not having direct bilateral meetings with Russian ministers since 2022, when Russia launched its large-scale attacks on Ukraine.
The official emphasized that the UK would not change its stance.
The diplomatic tension at the G20 follows the developments in relations between the USA and Russia in recent weeks.
US President Donald Trump's suspension of some sanctions against Moscow and his agreement to import diesel fuel from Russia drew the reaction of Ukraine and its European allies.
This step of the Trump administration is considered as part of its attempts to reduce fuel prices before the upcoming midterm elections in the USA.
Relations between the USA and Ukraine have also been tense recently due to Kiev's attacks on oil infrastructure on Russian territory.
FROM ZELENSKY TO TRUMP: A GIFT FOR PUTIN
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky criticized the energy agreement between Washington and Moscow.
Zelenski described the agreement as a "gift" to Putin and argued that it meant investing in the war that needed to end.
Trump stated that his decision to suspend some sanctions against Russia was aimed at keeping Moscow at the negotiating table on Ukraine.
Russian President Vladimir Putin also announced that his country is ready to provide oil and oil products to the USA and global markets.
Russia imposed a ban on diesel fuel exports earlier in the year.
Although the Washington administration has relaxed some sanctions against Russia, it continues its military support to Ukraine.
The US State Department announced this week that it has approved the sale of Patriot missiles worth more than $2 billion to strengthen Ukraine's air defense capacity.
The missiles in question are aimed to increase Ukraine's defense capacity against Russian air attacks.
Russia launched its large-scale military offensive against Ukraine in February 2022.
In the country where the war continues, Russian forces control approximately one-fifth of Ukrainian territory.
