Editor-in-chiefMariusz Gabriel B.
JournalistAgnieszka B.31.10.2026
The G20 foreign ministers’ meeting in Atlanta began with a diplomatic row. European ministers did not want to stand next to Russia’s top diplomat Sergei Lavrov in a joint photo. The US hosts therefore dropped the traditional “family photo”. Lavrov responded by attacking Poland.
What happened
- Friday, 30 October. According to US officials quoted in the media, Secretary of State Marco Rubio cancelled the ministers’ joint photo because some Europeans said they would not stand next to Lavrov.
- German minister Johann Wadephul said there would be no photo of the European partners together with Lavrov, the dpa agency reported.
- EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas told AFP that Lavrov presented “many lies” about the war in Ukraine at the meeting, and that Russia’s actions show it is not ready for peace talks.
- There will be no joint statement by the ministers. The US will publish its own summary of the meeting.
Lavrov on Poland: it “contributes nothing”
The US invited Poland to the G20 as a full participant, and Rubio said Poland deserves full membership. Lavrov called the invitation contrary to the principles of consensus-based diplomacy and said Poland “contributes nothing” to the meeting, TVP World reported, citing Russian agencies.
Radosław Sikorski said before the trip that there are uncomfortable moments in diplomacy and that sometimes you have to talk even to rivals. In Atlanta he called for a quick ceasefire in the Black Sea so that grain from Ukraine and Russia can travel safely to poorer countries.
Poland closer to the G20 table
According to the IMF, Poland’s economy has passed one trillion dollars for the first time and is already larger than the economies of some G20 members, such as Argentina and South Africa. Sikorski said that the United Kingdom, which takes over the G20 presidency in 2027, has already invited Prime Minister Donald Tusk to the leaders’ summit in Manchester.
Our view
We believe the lack of a joint photo does not matter much. It is a gesture for the cameras, not a decision. In the past the European Union had relations with Russia – it bought its gas and oil, traded and talked – and after the war it will most likely have them again. What matters more is what happens at the table: that Poland sits there, and Lavrov has to listen.
We also understand the other side. For European diplomats, refusing the photo is a clear signal that as long as the war continues, there is no “normality” with Russia. But wars end with talks – and it is good that Poland is in the place where those talks take place.
What this means for Poles in the UK
- The 2027 G20 summit will be held in Manchester. If Poland is there, it will be in a country with a very large Polish community.
- A Black Sea ceasefire and safe grain shipments could affect food prices – including in British shops.
Sources: The Guardian (31.10.2026); Al Jazeera (30.10.2026); TVP World – Lavrov on Poland; TVP World – Sikorski.
We assess factual corrections and substantive responses. Verified changes are reflected in our reporting.
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