The United States assumed responsibility for Russia's participation in the G20 Finance meetings held in Asheville, North Carolina, until the end of the summit. Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov took part in the discussions with his counterparts and central bank governors, marking his first in-person participation in this format since the start of the invasion of Ukraine.
This invitation caused deep unease among several Western delegations. Canada and several European countries felt that Russia could not be welcomed as an ordinary participant while the war was still ongoing. German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil, in particular, rejected any appearance of a return to normalcy in relations with Moscow.
Washington prioritizes maintaining dialogue
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent defended Washington's decision, stating that Russia's presence allowed for continued dialogue. This position confirms the US administration's commitment to maintaining Moscow's presence in major multilateral forums, despite European calls to strengthen its diplomatic and economic isolation.
The meeting also ended without a joint communiqué, due to a disagreement with China over trade imbalances and economic policies deemed uncompetitive. The other nineteen members supported a text calling for a reduction in market distortions. Lacking unanimity, the United States issued a simple statement from the president's office, in which the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East were not explicitly mentioned.
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