By — Matthew Lee, Associated Press Matthew Lee, Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/watch-rubio-welcomes-g20-foreign-ministers-to-atlanta-at-critical-moment Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter WATCH: Rubio welcomes G20 foreign ministers to Atlanta at 'critical moment' Politics Oct 30, 2026 2:10 PM EDT ATLANTA (AP) — The top diplomats from the Group of 20 largest world economies opened two days of meetings in Atlanta on Friday after European objections to Russia's participation forced the U.S. to cancel a photo of the foreign ministers, underscoring deep rifts among the group over global crises. Secretary of State Marco Rubio pulled the plug on the traditional group photo after several European officials threatened to boycott or walk out of the snapshot that usually helps kick off such diplomatic gatherings. But he still opened the talks, which otherwise went ahead as planned, with an appeal for unity on the issues that threaten international security and trade. Educate your inbox Subscribe to Here’s the Deal, our politics newsletter for analysis you won’t find anywhere else. Enter your email address Subscribe Form…
WATCH: Rubio welcomes G20 foreign ministers to Atlanta at 'critical moment'
In short
The two-day foreign ministers' summit in Atlanta underscored persistent global fractures regarding trade, U.S. tariffs, and conflicts involving Ukraine, Iran, and the South China Sea. European diplomats refused direct engagement with Moscow, with German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul asserting that normal relations with Russia are impossible. The friction comes just ahead of U.S. midterm elections, raising domestic political challenges surrounding foreign policy stances. These preliminary talks are meant to establish the foundation for a December G20 leaders' summit hosted by President Donald Trump in Miami.
Key points
- Disagreements over the war in Ukraine and Lavrov's presence prevented the G20 foreign min…: Disagreements over the war in Ukraine and Lavrov's presence prevented the G20 foreign ministers from presenting a unified diplomatic front.
- Global officials remain sharply divided over volatile trade disputes, U.S. tariffs, and m…: Global officials remain sharply divided over volatile trade disputes, U.S. tariffs, and military confrontations involving Iran and the South China Sea.
- The high-profile international friction poses political complications for Donald Trump ju…: The high-profile international friction poses political complications for Donald Trump just days before the U.S. congressional midterm elections.