US brings back Russia’s Siluanov to G20 finance talks, angering Europe

What the report says

Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov made an unexpected in-person appearance at G20 finance talks hosted by the United States in Asheville, North Carolina, according to Al Jazeera. The report said this was his first in-person G20 meeting since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Siluanov also met separately with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, with the two sides describing discussions under the G20 framework; a US official said the meeting touched on Washington’s push for a Ukraine peace plan.

The move drew sharp criticism from European officials. Polish Finance Minister Andrzej Domanski said he did not trust Russia and called dialogue with Moscow difficult, while German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil said the invitation sent a troubling signal. Klingbeil and other European participants reportedly objected to appearing with Siluanov in the traditional group photo, which was ultimately taken without him.

The article said the Trump administration defended the contact as part of efforts to pursue a deal to end the war in Ukraine. It also reported, citing sources familiar with the talks, that Bessent had made clear Russia would not receive economic relief until the war ended. The episode underscored continued disagreement between the US and European governments over how to handle Russia’s role in international economic forums.