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

Russia’s finance minister returned to an in-person G20 meeting for the first time since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, prompting a sharp reaction from European officials.

Anton Siluanov appeared at the US-hosted finance talks in Asheville, North Carolina, and held a bilateral meeting with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. Russia’s Finance Ministry said they discussed financial cooperation within the G20 framework. A US official said the talks also focused on President Donald Trump’s peace plan for Ukraine.

“

We like getting along with everybody. One of the reasons I’m so successful, I get along with everybody.

Trump defended the invitation when asked about it, saying, "We like getting along with everybody. One of the reasons I’m so successful, I get along with everybody."

“

We do not trust Russia. They lie constantly, and you need to be really, really cautious while discussing with them.

European ministers objected to Moscow’s presence. Polish Finance Minister Andrzej Domanski said, "We do not trust Russia. They lie constantly, and you need to be really, really cautious while discussing with them," while stressing that Russia was the aggressor in the war with Ukraine. German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil called the decision a "signal I find troubling" and told Siluanov that Moscow must end the war and that Europe supports Ukraine.

European officials, including European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde, discussed whether to maintain dialogue with Russia while delivering a direct message. They ultimately opposed appearing with Siluanov in the G20 family photograph, which was taken without him. Klingbeil said Europe was preparing another sanctions package and hoped to cooperate closely with Washington.

“

Signal I find troubling