Russia returned to the G20 table on Monday for the first time since its invasion of Ukraine. The move came after the Trump administration invited Moscow to attend the US-hosted meeting of G20 finance ministers and central bank governors.
Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov attended the opening day of the two-day meeting in Asheville, North Carolina. He also held a separate meeting with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.
Siluanov's presence created tension among several European officials. Many European governments continue to support sanctions and diplomatic pressure against Moscow because of the war in Ukraine.
European officials oppose Russia's participation
Polish Finance Minister Andrzej Domanski said he was unhappy with Russia's participation, according to a Reuters report. However, he acknowledged that the G20 host had the authority to invite other participants.
Domanski said European countries did not trust Moscow. He also said they remained cautious about engaging with Russia while the war in Ukraine continued. German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil also expressed concern over Russia's return to the meeting.
Klingbeil said Europe was preparing another package of sanctions against Russia. He described Siluanov's presence as a worrying signal for cooperation between the US and Europe in putting pressure on Moscow. He also said he wanted Washington to make it clearer that the Russian minister was not being treated like a regular guest at the gathering.
European officials also avoided appearing alongside Siluanov in the traditional G20 "family photo". The group eventually took the photograph without the Russian finance minister.
The development highlighted how much the G20 environment has changed since April 2022. At that time, Western officials walked out of a G20 finance meeting in Washington after Siluanov joined the session virtually. They did so in protest against Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Bessent holds separate talks with Siluanov
Siluanov also met Bessent separately during the G20 gathering. Russia's Finance Ministry said the two sides discussed financial cooperation within the G20 framework. A US official cited in the report said the meeting also covered President Donald Trump's efforts to end the war in Ukraine.
According to the report, Bessent told Siluanov that Russia should not expect economic relief or agreements on other matters until the war ends. The meeting reflects Washington's effort to keep diplomatic and economic communication open with Moscow. The Trump administration has pushed for a negotiated settlement to the Ukraine conflict. European governments, however, continue to favour sanctions and stronger pressure on Russia.
G20 turns attention to global economic growth
Despite the disagreements over Russia, the US administration wants the G20 to focus mainly on the global economy. Bessent said the world needs stronger economic growth to manage the huge debt accumulated since the 2008 financial crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Global debt reached nearly $353 trillion earlier this year. The figure has raised concerns about financial stability and the ability of governments and economies to manage their debt burdens. Bessent said the global economy needed to "grow its way out" of the debt burden.
Energy, China and AI remain key concerns
The G20 meeting is taking place against a challenging global economic backdrop. An energy shock linked to the Iran war has added to economic uncertainty. Governments are also watching China's large trade surplus and its impact on global markets.
At the same time, countries are assessing the long-term economic effects of the rapid growth of artificial intelligence. The Trump administration has also invited business leaders to participate in some G20 sessions.
The move reflects Washington's focus on deregulation, higher energy production and technological innovation. The US administration views these areas as important drivers of stronger economic growth.
Russia's return to the G20 meeting has therefore created a clear divide between Washington's approach of renewed engagement with Moscow and Europe's continued focus on sanctions and diplomatic pressure.