US Treasury Secretary Bessent meets Russian minister at G20 as European delegates boycott photo

Bilateral talks and US sanctions condition

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent met Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov on the sidelines of the G20 finance ministers gathering in Asheville, North Carolina. The encounter was the first in-person appearance by a Russian finance minister at a G20 meeting in the United States since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Sources cited by Reuters reported that Siluanov attempted to steer the discussion toward mutual economic cooperation, but Bessent cut the conversation short. Bessent stated that sanctions relief or new bilateral economic agreements remain out of reach until Russia brings an end to its war against Ukraine. The discussions also addressed US President Donald Trump's peace framework and broader economic growth policies.

European boycott of the official photo

Siluanov's physical presence at the summit drew immediate resistance from European delegations. European ministers refused to stand for the traditional group photograph alongside the Russian delegate, leading organizers to take the family photo without Siluanov. Polish Finance Minister Andrzej Domański, participating in G20 proceedings for the first time as a full member, confirmed that European officials maintained a coordinated position during the summit. German Vice Chancellor and Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil characterized the invitation as an attempt by the US hosts to normalize relations with Moscow, stating that he saw no basis for such a shift.

We do not trust Russia. They constantly lie and you have to be really very careful when talking to them.

European financial aid and security appeals

European Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis briefed reporters on the second day of the Asheville summit, stating that European officials found it difficult to address sensitive economic matters in the presence of an aggressor state. Dombrovskis pointed to continuing Russian missile strikes on Ukrainian civilian infrastructure and residential areas, including a strike on Kyiv that killed more than 30 people. During sideline G7 consultations, Ukrainian officials identified Patriot air defence ammunition as their most critical operational need.

We do not believe that now or in the foreseeable future is the time to normalize Russia.

Dombrovskis also outlined Europe's direct financial backing for Kyiv, noting that the European Union is currently delivering a 90 billion euro assistance package spanning this year and next year. According to the commissioner, this funding covers approximately two-thirds of Ukraine's financial requirements over the period, and he called on G7 and other international partners to increase their contributions.

Washington defends diplomatic engagement

During a press conference in Asheville, Bessent defended the decision to hold direct talks with Siluanov, arguing that settling the conflict is impossible without direct diplomatic contact between the parties. Bessent also disclosed that he conducted quiet discussions with both Russia and China regarding efforts to cut off foreign aid to Iran. In his remarks, Bessent asserted that Siluanov was not under sanctions, though official records show the Russian minister has been on the US sanctions list since 2022, as well as on Canadian and Australian sanction registries.

If the parties do not talk, if we do not engage, then how can it be resolved?

Donald Trump also defended the Russian delegation's presence at the summit, telling reporters that maintaining open communication with all parties is central to his diplomatic approach.