US cancels G20 ‘family photo’ after Australia, UK and others refuse to appear with Russia

Marco Rubio pulls plug on traditional photo op at meeting of foreign ministers after about one-third of countries threaten boycott

The traditional “family photo” to open the G20 foreign minister’s meeting has been abruptly cancelled in the US after a host of nations – including Australia and the UK – refused to appear beside Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov.

US secretary of state, Marco Rubio, pulled the plug after several European officials, the UK and Australia made it known they would boycott or walk out of the snapshot that often kicks off such international gatherings.

Rubio still opened the talks in Atlanta with an appeal for unity on the issues that threaten international security and trade.