At the meeting held this year in Asheville, North Carolina, Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov appeared, who on Monday not only participated in the G20 negotiations but also held a bilateral meeting with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on the sidelines.
Read more Where is the cheapest gasoline? Price differences at gas stations are surprising
Conflict over the photo
However, European officials present in Asheville on Monday opposed A. Siluanov’s participation, and the U.S. decision to allow the Russian official to join the meeting caused confusion when it was time to take a group photo of the participants.
German Vice Chancellor and Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil told Politico journalists that he clearly stated “that he would not pose for a group photo with the Russian Finance Minister,” noting that such a photo had not been taken in recent years.
The Vice Chancellor noted that he coordinated his position in advance with other European officials.
“The united European stance ultimately meant that the group photo was taken without the Russian Finance Minister and without the Russian delegation,” he said.
L. Klingbeil also admitted that he took the opportunity to “look the Russian Finance Minister straight in the eye” and tell him that the Russian government must end the war against Ukraine.
He also criticized the Trump administration for inviting A. Siluanov.
“I would like the U.S. side to clearly state that he should not be received as a regular guest,” the minister noted.
Germany views Russia’s participation in the meeting as an insult to Ukraine.
A Treasury Department spokesperson declined to comment on the photo incident. In the photo released by the U.S. side Monday evening, the Russian official was not visible.
Decision from the White House
“Secretary Bessent held a productive meeting with the Russian Finance Minister,” Treasury Department International Affairs Secretary Erin Browne told Politico.
S. Bessent “conveyed to him that the war must end and we want to see a peaceful resolution,” she added.
Meanwhile, a Treasury Department press representative noted that both officials discussed the “Trump peace and economic growth plan.”
E. Browne indicated that the decision to include Russia was made by the White House: “We follow White House protocol.”
Read more In the Lithuanian Tennis Championships tour, the Šiauliai Tennis Academy performed the best
On Monday, when asked by journalists about Russia’s return to the G20 meeting, D. Trump began defending this decision.
“We like to get along well with everyone,” the president explained to journalists. “One of the reasons I am so successful is that I get along well with everyone.”
As one person familiar with the bilateral meeting’s proceedings told the publication, S. Bessent told the Russian Finance Minister that the United States would not provide any economic assistance to Russia until the war in Ukraine is over.
According to the source, when A. Siluanov “tried to discuss areas where action could be taken, Secretary Bessent firmly interrupted him and said that until it ends, nothing is possible.”
Russia’s return to the international arena shows a sudden change compared to Washington’s position on such meetings after Russia launched a large-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Harsh criticism
During President Joe Biden’s administration, American officials, along with their European colleagues, demonstrated public protest against Moscow’s participation in international economic forums.
Then-Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen was one of the Western officials who walked out of the G20 meeting in 2022 when the Russian representative began speaking.
New Hampshire Senator Jeanne Shaheen, Democratic chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, strongly criticized the administration’s decision to allow Russia to participate in the meeting.
“The Trump administration should pressure Putin and his associates, not give them a platform,” she emphasized in her statement. She also urged the House of Representatives to pass a new sanctions package against Russia, which the Senate approved this month by a large majority.
As The New York Times writes, the Russian Finance Minister’s appearance at the meeting caused an awkward situation for European G20 representatives whose governments firmly support Ukraine in the war with Russia.
They strive to isolate Russia in the global economy and diplomatic arena and did not want to do anything during this meeting that could indicate a change in this stance—especially at a time when Moscow continues its aggressive war against Ukraine.
Read more Wawrinka’s farewell to the «Grand Slam» tournaments – with tears in his eyes
