US Treasury Secretary Says Russia’s G20 Presence Did Not Disrupt Talks Despite EU Anger

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent declared on Tuesday that Russia's reintegration into high-level G20 finance talks did not disturb proceedings, despite intense disapproval from European partners regarding Russia's ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Bessent disclosed this at a press conference, highlighting that 19 out of the 20 nations concurred, indicating no discernible impact on the proceedings.

He maintained that it was crucial to engage, acknowledging European discontent but emphasizing the importance of dialogue. Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov attended the two-day summit in Asheville, North Carolina, marking his first in-person appearance at the forum since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

His attendance sparked criticism from European officials, who argued that Moscow should not be considered a typical international partner during the ongoing war. German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil and EU economy chief Valdis Dombrovskis both refused to participate in the customary G20 'family photo' with Siluanov, expressing their stance that relations with Russia should not be normalized while the war persists.

EU representatives voiced their opposition to treating Russia's participation in such meetings as normalized. Despite these disagreements, Bessent held private bilateral talks with Siluanov. According to US officials, their discourse encompassed President Donald Trump's initiatives aimed at resolving the Ukraine conflict. It was reported that Bessent informed Siluanov that Russia would not receive economic relief or agreements from Washington as long as the war continued.

Russia's Finance Ministry stated that the two officials also deliberated on bilateral financial matters and cooperation within the G20 framework.