Ed Miliband, USA News (Atlanta, Georgia): Ed Miliband stated he informed the Russian Foreign Minister that his country would not prevail in its invasion of Ukraine during the G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. The traditional photocall of all attendees was scrapped after approximately a third of participants, including the Foreign Secretary, refused to be photographed alongside Mr. Lavrov.
Sergei Lavrov, representing the Kremlin at the multinational gathering, described the canceled call as “family photo diplomacy.” He also asserted that Volodymyr Zelensky’s remarks concerning maintaining strikes on Russian targets were unhelpful for potential future peace negotiations.
G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Atlanta
The 2026 G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, bringing together representatives from 19 countries alongside the European Union and African Union, commenced in Atlanta, Georgia, on Friday. The Foreign Secretary stated directly to the Russian Foreign Minister, “We all know who the aggressor in this war is.”
He continued: “We all know you started this war four and a half years ago with the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. And Putin thought then he would win this war easily. But you are not winning this war.” German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul stated that a family photo was impossible because there was “no normalcy with Russia.”
In response, Mr. Lavrov stated: “I call this ‘family photo diplomacy.’ If what matters most to them is how they look in a family photo, and who’s standing next to them, well, that says it all.” United States officials indicated to Reuters that the photocall was canceled because they wished to prevent a spectacle that might overshadow the proceedings.
Plenary Statements and Global Ramifications
Addressing the plenary, Mr. Miliband stated: “If you had the courage to tell the truth and to do what is right you would tell Putin that he is not winning this war and will not win.” The Foreign Secretary emphasized that members of the multinational body must work harder to achieve a just and lasting peace in Ukraine, citing global repercussions such as fuel prices and food insecurity.
He added that the conflict constitutes an assault on international law, sovereignty, and self-determination. The upcoming G20 Leaders’ Summit is scheduled to take place at Donald Trump’s Miami resort, the Trump National Doral Miami, on December 14 and 15.
