Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov has attended a G20 finance ministers’ meeting in person for the first time since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, prompting a coordinated protest from European members of the group.
Finance ministers from G20 countries are meeting for two days in Asheville, North Carolina, to discuss the global economic outlook. Siluanov traveled to the United States at the invitation of Washington, which currently holds the G20 presidency.
The decision to invite the Russian minister drew criticism from European participants.
European G20 countries refused to join a group photograph with Siluanov. The so-called family photo was subsequently taken without the Russian finance minister and his delegation.
“The joint action by the Europeans, for which I am very grateful, ultimately meant that the family photo was taken without the Russian finance minister and the Russian delegation,” German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil said in Asheville.
“He should not have been treated like an ordinary guest”
Klingbeil described Siluanov’s personal return to the G20 meeting as an attempt by the United States, as host, to normalize relations with Russia.
He said he saw no justification for easing or normalizing relations with Moscow under current circumstances, given Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine.
“Given the brutal war Russia is waging against Ukraine, I would have expected greater clarity from the Americans as the organizers of the meeting,” Klingbeil said, adding that the Russian minister “should not have been treated like an ordinary guest.”
Despite the absence of Siluanov from the family photograph, Russian and Western officials participated in joint discussions.
Klingbeil said he used the meetings to deliver a direct message to the Russian minister that the Russian government must end the war.
He also reiterated Germany’s continued support for Ukraine.
“Sometimes these meetings seem too diplomatic to me, and perhaps my words surprised one or two people in the room,” Klingbeil said.
At the same time, he acknowledged that Russia remains a member of the G20 and that the forum provides an opportunity for dialogue.
“Russia is part of the G20 and, in that sense, it is good that there is an opportunity for dialogue and that clear words can be spoken there,” he said.
White House defends invitation to Russia
The White House has defended Washington’s decision to invite Russia to the G20 meeting.
White House spokesman Kush Desai told AFP that the Trump administration was working with Moscow toward an agreement aimed at ending what he described as the “endless bloodshed” in Ukraine.
“The president and the administration will never hesitate to talk to the people we need to talk to in order to move this process forward,” Desai said.
The finance ministers’ meeting is serving as a preparatory session for the main G20 summit of heads of state and government, scheduled to take place in Miami in December.
Russian President Vladimir Putin last attended such a major international gathering in 2019. His return to a G20 leaders’ summit could now become possible.
U.S. President Donald Trump expressed support in principle in April for a potential Putin appearance, saying that his participation could be useful.
“If he came, it would most likely be useful,” Trump said. “I think you should talk to everybody.”
The dispute over Siluanov’s attendance highlights a growing tension within the G20 between Western governments seeking to maintain pressure on Russia over the war in Ukraine and the Trump administration’s stated preference for direct engagement with Moscow as part of its efforts to pursue a potential end to the conflict.
