Lars KlingbeilScott BessentAnton SiluanovEuropean CommissionU.S. Department of the TreasuryG20Russian Finance Ministry

Europe blasts Russian finance minister's G20 attendance in Asheville; German minister calls signal 'quite troubling' as sanctions package readied

European officials criticized the G20's invitation to Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov, fearing it could normalize relations amid the Ukraine war. German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil called the move 'quite troubling' as Europe prepares a new sanctions package against Moscow, emphasizing the need for a united front.

The Hill The Hill1 September 2026 · 14:47 UTC
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European financial officials expressed strong opposition to the invitation extended to Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov at the G20 meeting in Asheville, North Carolina, fearing it could normalize relations with Moscow during its ongoing war against Ukraine.2

German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil voiced concerns, stating, "A joint approach would be best, yet it is sometimes unclear whether there might be a loosening of the stance over there. That is why I find the signal sent by receiving the Russian finance minister here quite troubling." He emphasized the need for clarity from the U.S. regarding Siluanov's presence, suggesting he should not be treated as a normal guest.34

The U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent met with Siluanov, making it clear that economic relief for Russia would not be considered until the war concludes. A source revealed that Bessent forcefully interrupted Siluanov during discussions, reiterating that no cooperation could occur until the conflict ends.

In a show of solidarity, European ministers and central bankers opted out of the traditional family photo with Siluanov, highlighting their disapproval of his attendance. As Europe prepares a new sanctions package against Russia, the situation underscores the delicate balance of international relations amid ongoing hostilities.

Key Insight
“Siluanov met with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to discuss the Russian-American financial relationship and G20 cooperation, per Russia's Finance Ministry. German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil said he wanted greater clarity that the Russian minister should not be received as a normal guest.”
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“European financial officials pushed back on to invite Russia’s finance minister to the G20 finance meeting in Asheville, N.C., this week.”
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EARLIER IN THE STORY:
Time Magazine
Trump defends Russia's G20 presence as Europeans object; Bessent meets Siluanov, rules out economic relief while Ukraine war continues

President Trump defended Russia's presence at the G20 finance meeting, saying, We’re going to see what happens, but we like getting along with everybody. One of the reasons that I’m so successful, I get along with everybody.

Bessent Siluanov MeetingDomanski Trust RussiaEcb
2026-09-01
TL;DR by CuriousCats.ai
  • President Trump defended Russia's presence at the G20 finance meeting, saying, "We’re going to see what happens, but we like getting along with everybody."
  • U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent met with his Russian counterpart on the sidelines, discussing Trump's Ukraine peace plan and economic growth, but ruled out economic relief for Moscow while the war continues.
  • European leaders were irked by the move, with some refusing to participate in a group photograph if Siluanov was included; Germany's Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil said he "would have wished that the Russian Finance Minister is not received here at the G20 in the USA as a normal guest."
  • Klingbeil added, "Every day, people die due to the Russian attacks. One cannot simply return to normality under those circumstances," and he refused to pose alongside Russia's finance minister for the G20 group photo; the final "family photo" notably did not include Siluanov.
  • Polish Finance Minister Andrzej Domanski said he was unhappy to see Russia represented, stating, "We do not trust Russia. They lie constantly and you need to be really, really cautious while discussing with them," and that it would be very difficult to have any conversation with Russia.
  • Democratic leaders, including Sen. Jeanne Shaheen and Representatives Don Beyer, Gregory Meeks, and Richard Neal, criticized the hosting and urged the White House to impose sanctions on Russia, noting that Trump already has ample authority to do so.
Russian finance minister, invited by Trump, draws objections at G-20 meeting; first in-person appearance since Ukraine invasion sparks European protests
The Washington Post
Russian finance minister, invited by Trump, draws objections at G-20 meeting; first in-person appearance since Ukraine invasion sparks European protests

The appearance of Russia's finance minister at a G-20 meeting, his first in person since Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, sparked protests Monday from European participants.

Donald Trump PresidencyEuropean ProtestsG-20 Meeting
2026-09-01
TL;DR by CuriousCats.ai
  • Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov was invited by Trump to the G-20 meeting, marking his first in-person attendance since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
  • European participants protested Siluanov's appearance at the G-20 meeting, reflecting ongoing tensions related to Russia's actions in Ukraine.
Bessent tells Russia 'nothing is possible until the war is over' as Europe snubs Moscow at G20; Nato scrambles jets after deadly Kyiv attack
CNBCCNBC
Bessent tells Russia 'nothing is possible until the war is over' as Europe snubs Moscow at G20; Nato scrambles jets after deadly Kyiv attack

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov that no sanctions relief or new agreements with Moscow were possible as long as the war in Ukraine continues.

Bessent Russia SanctionsEurope Snubs MoscowG20
2026-09-01
TL;DR by CuriousCats.ai
  • U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov that no sanctions relief or new agreements with Moscow were possible as long as the war in Ukraine continues.
  • The two officials met on the sidelines of a Group of 20 (G20) finance leaders' gathering in Asheville, North Carolina.
  • Bessent's remarks came as Siluanov's first in-person appearance at the summit since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
  • Bessent made it clear to Siluanov that "nothing is possible until the war is over", when the Russian minister brought up other areas of mutual interest, Reuters reported.
  • European governments have planned to expand sanctions to further squeeze Moscow's economy and finances.
  • Russia's surprise return to the table sparked dismay among European officials, who in the traditional G20 photo, which was ultimately taken without the Russian minister.
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