Trump Defends Hosting Russia at G20 as Europeans Voice Disapproval
"One of the reasons that I’m so successful, I get along with everybody," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office.
President Donald Trump defended hosting Russia at the G20 finance meeting in Asheville, North Carolina, despite strong disapproval from European officials. Trump stated that he likes getting along with everyone, a sentiment that echoed the U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. Bessent met with Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov on the sidelines of the event, discussing financial cooperation within the G20 framework.
However, European leaders remained committed to isolating Moscow due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Germany's Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil expressed his disappointment, stating that he wished the Russian Finance Minister was not treated as a normal guest. Polish Finance Minister Andrzej Domanski also voiced his unhappiness, emphasizing his distrust of Russia.
U.S. lawmakers echoed the sentiment, with Democratic Sen. Jeanne Shaheen calling for new sanctions against Russia. The White House had not publicly announced Russia's planned attendance, leading to a group photo without Siluanov.
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