The G20 meeting in Asheville has been overshadowed by growing tensions between the United States and European allies over Washington's decision to invite Russia, restrictions on media access, the war in Iran and its impact on the global economy, and a worsening trade dispute between the US and Canada.
Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov made an unexpected appearance as discussions opened late Monday, becoming the first Russian representative to attend the G20 meeting in person since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Siluanov also held a bilateral meeting with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.
The United States is hosting the meeting as the current holder of the G20's rotating presidency. US officials told several news agencies, on condition of anonymity, that Bessent used his meeting with Siluanov to make clear that Washington would not provide Russia with economic relief until Moscow ends its four-and-a-half-year invasion of Ukraine.
Asked about Russia's participation, US President Donald Trump said: "We like getting along with everybody."
The decision to welcome the Russian finance minister drew a sharp response from European participants. German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil said the presence of Siluanov sent "a troubling signal." He said European finance ministers had agreed not to appear in the traditional G20 "family photo" alongside the Russian representative, describing the position as a common EU stance.
