Russia returns to US-hosted G20 finance talks, drawing European ire

Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov attended the US-hosted G20 meeting in Asheville, North Carolina, on Monday, marking the first time since 2022 that a senior Russian official has taken part in a G20 event in person. The move immediately prompted dismay and frustration among European officials.

Siluanov, who has served as Russia's finance minister since 2011, held a bilateral meeting with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. According to Russia's Finance Ministry, the two discussed financial cooperation within the G20 framework, while a US official said the talks focused on the peace plan for Ukraine proposed by President Donald Trump.

Asked by reporters about inviting Russia, Trump said: "We want to get along with everybody. One of the reasons I'm successful is I get along with everybody."

However, European officials voiced criticism over the move. Polish Finance Minister Andrzej Domanski said he was not happy to see Russia present, though he acknowledged that the G20 host has the right to invite guests. He told Reuters: "We don't trust Russia. They lie constantly, and you need to be really careful when discussing with them. For me, talking with Russia is very difficult."

German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil said the US decision sent a "worrying signal." He said he told Siluanov during the plenary session that Moscow must end the war and "we clearly support Ukraine." He also revealed that Europe is preparing a new sanctions package against Russia and hopes to work closely with Washington.

European officials also objected to appearing alongside Siluanov in the traditional G20 group photo. In the end, the photo was taken without the Russian minister. Klingbeil said European officials, including European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde, discussed the matter and agreed that maintaining a channel of dialogue could allow them to send a frank message to Moscow.

"However, the return of the Russian finance minister – after about four G20 meetings without Russia's participation – shows an attempt at normalization, and that makes us oppose it even more strongly," Klingbeil said.

Siluanov's appearance stands in stark contrast to the G20 meeting in Washington in April 2022, when his virtual participation prompted officials from Canada, the UK, the US, and the European Central Bank to walk out of the session.

Reacting to Russia's attendance, White House spokesman Kush Desai told AFP that the Trump administration has been working with Russia to advance a deal "to end the endless bloodshed that the president has decried." He added: "The president and the administration will never hesitate to talk to people we need to talk to in order to achieve that. That is what we are aiming for at the G20."

Reuters and AFP, citing sources familiar with the Washington-Moscow talks, reported that Bessent made clear the US would not ease economic measures against Russia until the war in Ukraine ends.

The two-day meeting takes place as global debt hits a record near $353 trillion, while the world economy faces an energy shock caused by the US-Israel-Iran conflict. Tensions also rise over China's large trade surplus and uncertainty about the impact of a wave of investment in artificial intelligence.

The US, which currently holds the G20 presidency, did not invite South Africa – last year's G20 host – to this meeting. Meanwhile, Poland, which is not a permanent G20 member, was invited. Some reporters from major US newspapers, including The New York Times and Bloomberg News, were not granted press credentials for the event.