Albanese faces G20 photo choice: Putin or principle
Albanese faces pressure over whether to pose with Putin at Miami's G20 summit next month.
Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese may face pressure to pose for a group photo with Russia's Vladimir Putin at the G20 summit in Miami next month. Foreign Minister Penny Wong already refused to appear in such a photo with Russia's Sergei Lavrov, forcing the US to cancel the opportunity.
Australia's clear position is that it does not want to normalise Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Cabinet minister Murray Watt said that if refusing a photo helps advance this goal, "then that's a good thing".
The US Secretary of State argues that talks with Moscow are key to achieving a peaceful end to the war. The EU's foreign policy chief disagrees strongly, arguing that Russia's return to international forums normalises ongoing war crimes.
Australia has been one of Ukraine's biggest supporters outside NATO, providing nearly $1.9 billion in direct aid and helping train troops.
- Anthony Albanese
- Prime Minister
- Miami
- Summit location
- Murray Watt
- Cabinet minister
- nearly 1.9 billion dollars
- Australia Ukraine aid
Why it mattersAlbanese's decision will show how Australia balances its firm support for Ukraine with ongoing talks at world summits.
AustraliaAn Australia-Russia diplomatic snub would reinforce that Australia considers Ukraine's sovereignty non-negotiable in international forums.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 2 h ago
