Russian finance minister attends G20 in person for first time since invasion as Europe refuses group photo

Anton Siluanov’s appearance at the G20 finance ministers’ meeting in Asheville marked the first time Russia’s finance minister had attended the forum in person since Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

The invitation came from the United States, which holds the G20 presidency under President Donald Trump’s administration. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent also held a separate meeting with Siluanov. The U.S. Treasury said they discussed Trump’s peace proposal, while Russia’s Finance Ministry said the talks covered financial cooperation and communication within the G20.

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An attempt to normalize relations.

European officials reacted sharply. Germany’s Vice Chancellor and Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil described the invitation as an attempt to normalize relations and said Russia’s minister should not have been treated like a regular guest given the consequences of the war. Klingbeil said he told Siluanov directly that the Russian government must end the war and that Germany firmly stood with Ukraine.

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Given the consequences of the war, Russia’s minister should not have been treated like a regular guest.

European finance ministers also said they would not stand with Siluanov for the customary ministerial group photograph. The New York Times reported that Siluanov did not take part in the picture.

Siluanov joined the April 2022 meeting by video, shortly after the invasion, and some European finance ministers walked out when he began speaking. Russia retained its G20 status, but its officials faced limits on in-person participation at meetings. Trump has also expressed support for the possibility of Vladimir Putin attending the G20 leaders’ summit planned for Miami in December.

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The Russian government must end this war, and I told him directly what consequences this war is producing and that Germany firmly stands with Ukraine.