Chicago – August 31, 2026
European finance ministers voiced sharp discontent on Monday as Russia’s finance minister, Anton Siluanov, attended a G20 gathering in Asheville, North Carolina, marking Moscow’s first in‑person participation since its 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
Siluanov’s presence at the G20 finance ministers and central bank governors meeting prompted immediate protests from European delegates, who said there could be no “normalisation” of relations with Moscow while the war in Ukraine continues.
German Vice‑Chancellor and Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil called the signal sent by receiving Siluanov “troubling” and said he had urged the United States to make clear that Russia would not be treated as a regular guest.
In a visible show of dissent, European officials threatened to boycott the traditional group photograph if Siluanov joined them; the Russian minister ultimately did not appear in the final image. Klingbeil noted that Siluanov’s return after four G20 cycles without Russian participation looked like an attempt at normalisation, making it “all the more important” for Europe to push back.
On the sidelines, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent held talks with Siluanov on financial cooperation and interaction within the G20 framework, a move that underscored the widening transatlantic split over how to handle Moscow.
European leaders said they were preparing further sanctions against Russia and expected close coordination with Washington, even as they insisted dialogue channels should remain open to convey their position directly.
