Russia's Siluanov attends G20 finance talks in Asheville, drawing European criticism
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Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov attended G20 finance talks in Asheville, North Carolina on Monday, his first in-person appearance since Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine. European ministers criticized the US decision to invite him, with Poland's finance minister saying he would find it difficult to hold any conversation with Russia.
Key Facts
- Siluanov's appearance in Asheville on Monday was his first in-person G20 meeting since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
- Siluanov held a bilateral meeting with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, focusing on financial cooperation within the G20 framework.
- Polish Finance Minister Andrzej Domanski said he was unhappy to see Moscow represented and that it would be very difficult for him to have any conversation with Russia.
- German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil called the US decision to welcome Siluanov a troubling signal and said Europe was preparing further sanctions against Russia.
- European ministers and central bankers opposed appearing with Siluanov in the traditional G20 family photo, which was taken without him.
Siluanov's Return
Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov made a surprise appearance at the US-hosted G20 finance talks in Asheville, North Carolina on Monday. This marked his first in-person attendance at a G20 meeting since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Siluanov, who has held the finance minister post since 2011, held a bilateral meeting with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. Russia's Ministry of Finance said the two men discussed financial cooperation within the G20 framework. A US official said the meeting focused on President Donald Trump's peace plan for Ukraine.
European Reaction
European officials criticized the US decision to invite Siluanov, with Polish Finance Minister Andrzej Domanski expressing unhappiness at Moscow's representation. Domanski told Reuters that Russia lies constantly and that it would be very difficult for him to have any kind of conversation with Russia. German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil said the US move sent a signal he found troubling. Klingbeil said he told Siluanov during a plenary session that Moscow had to end the war and that Europe clearly supports Ukraine. He also said Europe was preparing a further package of sanctions against Russia and hoped for close cooperation with Washington on the measures.
Family Photo Dispute
European ministers and central bankers opposed appearing with Siluanov in the traditional G20 family photo, according to European officials. The photograph was ultimately taken without the Russian minister. Klingbeil said European officials, including European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde, had discussed Russia's involvement on Sunday. They agreed that maintaining an avenue for dialogue could allow them to deliver a frank message to Moscow.
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Russia's Siluanov attends G20 finance talks in Asheville, drawing European criticism
