Miliband to miss G20 photo with Lavrov and seek allies’ picture
Ed Miliband plans to skip the G20 leaders’ traditional group photograph in Atlanta because Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will attend. He has reportedly asked US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to arrange a separate picture with close allies, while saying the UK does not engage with Russian officials in that way and must counter Russia’s hybrid threat.
The meeting may also become a forum for calls to increase support for Ukraine. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said she would press for stronger backing and accountability for Russia, while former UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves and three European and Canadian politicians urged the EU to take custody of €210 billion in frozen Russian sovereign assets. They said the funds could help finance Ukraine’s defence into 2029.
In short
- Miliband plans to miss the G20 group photo because Lavrov will attend.
- He has reportedly requested a separate photograph with close allies.
- Politicians are urging the EU to use frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Skipping the photograph could signal that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has consequences and avoid an image that appears to normalise Russia’s role among G20 leaders. A separate picture with close allies could show unity on Ukraine and reinforce efforts to counter Russia’s hybrid threat.
The case against
Attending the group photograph need not imply approval of Russia’s actions; it could preserve diplomatic engagement and the G20’s role as a forum where governments with serious disagreements meet. A conspicuous boycott and separate allies’ picture could deepen divisions or reduce opportunities to press Russia and build broader support for Ukraine.
Explained simply
The G20 brings together major economies to discuss international issues, with foreign ministers attending some meetings. Russia is a G20 member, and Sergei Lavrov is its foreign minister; Ed Miliband is the UK’s energy secretary. The United States is also a G20 member, and Marco Rubio is its secretary of state.
Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, launched in 2022, has led to sanctions and debate over how to support Ukraine. European countries have frozen Russian state assets, and governments differ over whether those funds can or should be used to help Ukraine.
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Originally published by Daily Mail as “Ed Miliband ‘to snub’ G20 family photo with Russian counterpart Lavrov – as he urges US hosts to stage a separate picture with allies”.