German Foreign Minister Wadephul rejects ‘normality’ with Russia at G20 but says U.S. and Europe still share goal of ending Ukraine war

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said Friday there would be no traditional G20 “family photo” featuring European ministers alongside Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, arguing that such an image would send the wrong signal while Russia’s war in Ukraine continues.

“There will be no family photo featuring our European partners together with Mr. Lavrov,” Wadephul told reporters at the G20 foreign ministers’ meeting in Atlanta. “There is no normality with Russia. We must not send false visual signals.”

European representatives had objected to appearing alongside Lavrov, and the traditional group photograph was dropped from the meeting schedule.

At the same time, Wadephul said Europe and the United States remained aligned on the central objective in Ukraine despite differences in tone and approach.

“I would say we are reading from the same paper with the United States of America,” he said. “We are absolutely clear that this war has to be brought to an end and that Russia has to come to the negotiating table.”

“The tone in Europe is, of course, different,” he added.

Wadephul has also called for Iran to return to negotiations, for the Houthis to halt their attacks and for Russia to stop what he described as increasingly aggressive actions.

The Atlanta meeting has exposed continuing transatlantic differences over Russia, even as both sides publicly support negotiations aimed at ending the war in Ukraine.