Russia’s finance minister makes unexpected appearance at G-20 meeting

ASHEVILLE, United States - Russia’s finance minister Anton Siluanov made an unexpected appearance at the US-hosted Group of 20 (G-20) finance leaders’ talks on Aug 31 - and his first physical attendance at the gathering since Moscow’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine has drawn ire.On the morning of Aug 31, Siluanov also met with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, the Treasury Department said.Finance ministers and central bank governors from the G-20 major economies are meeting for two days in Asheville, North Carolina, as Washington tries to rally support for greater economic pressure on Iran and find ways to boost growth.But Siluanov’s appearance has frustrated some European leaders.At a meeting of G-20 finance ministers in 2022, when Siluanov attended virtually, the United States – under former president Joe Biden’s administration – led a multinational group in a walkout as Russian officials spoke.German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil told reporters around midday on Aug 31 that he would have preferred a clear position from Washington that Siluanov not be received like a regular guest.“Receiving the Russian finance minister here sends a signal I find troubling,” Klingbeil said.The US currently holds the rotating presidency of the G-20.Klingbeil added that he told Siluanov during a plenary session that the Russian government has to end its war, and “that we clearly support Ukraine.”“At the same time, this morning I made it clear to the Europeans in the preliminary meeting that I will not stand with the Russian finance minister for a joint photo,” he added.“A family photo would be too big a step in my view.”During Bessent’s bilateral meeting with Siluanov, the US Treasury chief advocated for President Donald Trump’s peace plan for Ukraine, a US official confirmed.Trump had pushed for Moscow and Kyiv to strike a deal to halt fighting, but an initial 28-point plan that largely adhered to Moscow’s demands was criticised by Kyiv and Europe. AFP