Donald Trump faced sharp criticism after inviting Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov to the G20 finance ministers’ summit in Asheville, North Carolina. Siluanov last appeared at a G20 meeting via video link in April 2022, two months after Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine.
Senior European officials refused to join a group photo and voiced strong concerns. German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil said the signal sent by receiving the Russian finance minister was “troubling,” and he wanted clearer U.S. guidance that Russia should not be treated as a normal guest. Polish Finance Minister Andrzej Domanski added that Poland does not trust Russia and would find dialogue difficult, though he recognised the host’s right to invite guests.
During the two‑day meeting, officials from the United Kingdom, United States, Canada and the European Central Bank walked out in protest. The summit unfolded as the global economy suffers an energy shock triggered by the Iran war, faces rising tensions over China’s large goods‑trade surplus, and braces for the impact of a surge in AI‑driven investment.
Siluanov later met with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. A Treasury spokesperson described the discussion as productive and said it reinforced the president’s push for world peace. A Reuters source reported that Bessent warned no economic relief would be given to Russia until the war ends. Treasury Undersecretary for International Affairs Erin Browne told the Washington Post that dialogue remains important even during conflict, noting that constructive discussions took place in the plenary session despite European objections.
