US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry speaks during an informal ministerial meeting ahead of the COP27 climate summit, in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, October 3, 2022. (REUTERS/Justin Makangara)
US special presidential envoy for climate John Kerry skipped a group photo that included a Russian official at pre-COP27 climate talks in Democratic Republic of Congo.
Kerry said he was among several western officials who shunned the photo opportunity. The US has imposed waves of sanctions on Russia for its invasion of Ukraine.
"I don’t know if it was a big decision on the part of everyone, but I know very well that all the ministers of these countries are very bothered by their presence,” Kerry told reporters in French on Tuesday in Congo’s capital, Kinshasa.
"Russia is not a country at this moment that’s treated like others, and they didn’t want to be there for a photo.”
Russia’s embassy in Congo didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.
Kerry downplayed the snub, saying that the work of the conference was primary in the lead up to COP27, which is set to take place in Egypt next month.
"A photo is a photo, but the work of COP is continuing,” he said.
