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G20: Russia Returns by Trump Administration Decision, Sparking Strong European Reaction
🇬🇷 Greece /Economy & Trade

G20: Russia Returns by Trump Administration Decision, Sparking Strong European Reaction

From Ta Nea · () Greek

Translated from Greek and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Unnamed sources Ongoing story
  • Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov attended the first day of G20 talks hosted by the United States after Washington restored Russia’s participation.
  • U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent met Siluanov and said the United States would not offer Russia economic relief until the war in Ukraine ends, according to an anonymous source.
  • European officials objected to Russia’s inclusion, and the official group photograph proceeded without Siluanov or the Russian delegation.

Russia’s return to a meeting of the G20’s leading economic officials has exposed a fresh split between Washington and its European allies. Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov attended the opening day of talks hosted by the United States, while European officials argued that Moscow should remain isolated because of the war in Ukraine.

the war must end and that we want to see a peaceful outcome

— Erin BrownBrown’s account of what U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told Russia’s finance minister.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent held a private meeting with Siluanov on the sidelines of the gathering in Asheville. Erin Brown, the Treasury undersecretary for international affairs, described the meeting as productive and said Bessent made clear that “the war must end and that we want to see a peaceful outcome.” Brown also said the decision to include Russia came from the White House, adding, “We follow White House protocol.”

A Treasury spokesperson said the officials discussed “Trump’s plan for peace and economic growth.” Trump defended the decision when reporters asked about Russia’s participation, saying, “We like to get along with everybody. One of the reasons I’m so successful is that I get along with everybody.”

We follow White House protocol.

— Erin BrownBrown explained that the White House made the decision to include Russia.

Bessent also told Siluanov that the United States would not provide Russia with economic relief until the war in Ukraine ended, according to a person familiar with the meeting who requested anonymity. The source said Siluanov tried to discuss areas of mutual interest, but Bessent interrupted him and said nothing could proceed before the war was over.

Trump’s plan for peace and economic growth.

— U.S. Treasury spokespersonThe spokesperson described the subject of Bessent’s meeting with Siluanov.

The dispute reached the event’s official photograph. German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil said he had made clear that he “would not pose for a group photograph with the Russian finance minister.” He said he coordinated that position with other European officials. Klingbeil later said European unity resulted in a photograph without Siluanov and without the Russian delegation.

We like to get along with everybody. One of the reasons I’m so successful is that I get along with everybody.

— Donald TrumpTrump defended Russia’s participation in the G20 meeting.
About this summary

Originally published by Ta Nea in Greek. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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