Dombrovskis criticizes Russia’s participation in G20 ministerial meeting

Valdis Dombrovskis delivered the European Union’s criticism from the sidelines of the G20 meeting in Asheville, North Carolina: “There is currently no right time to normalize” relations with Russia or its participation in gatherings of this kind.

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There is currently no right time to normalize relations with Russia or its participation in such meetings.

The United States allowed Russia to attend a G20 finance ministers’ meeting for the first time in four years. Siluanov’s return marked his first in-person meeting with fellow G20 finance ministers since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022.

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Concerning

The invitation prompted protests from European partners. German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil called Washington’s signal to Moscow “concerning” and said he would have preferred a clear statement that Siluanov was not being welcomed as an ordinary guest. Klingbeil also said he and other Europeans boycotted the group photograph with the Russian minister.

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Stop the endless bloodshed, which the president strongly condemns.

Klingbeil said he told Siluanov directly during a working session that Moscow must end the war. The White House defended the decision, saying the U.S. government was working with Russia toward an agreement that would “stop the endless bloodshed, which the president strongly condemns.” Spokesman Kush Desai added that the president and government would never avoid speaking with people “with whom we have to speak to achieve that.” The United States currently holds the G20 presidency, and Russia remains a member.

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With whom we have to speak to achieve that.