Trump Defends Hosting Russian Finance Minister at G20 Amid European Disapproval

United States President Donald Trump defended having Russia at the G20 finance meeting on Monday, amid backlash from European officials who disapproved of the move.

Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov made a surprise appearance at the meeting in Asheville, North Carolina, marking his first in-person G20 attendance since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. European leaders were irked by the move, with some reportedly refusing to participate in a group photograph if Siluanov was included. German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil called the decision to treat Siluanov as a regular participant a troubling signal.

Trump told reporters, "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." US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent met with Siluanov on the sidelines of the event. Russia's Finance Ministry stated the pair discussed Russia-U.S. Cooperation on financial matters and interaction within the G20 framework.

A Treasury spokesperson told Axios that Bessent and Siluanov spoke about Trump's Ukraine peace plan and economic growth, adding that Bessent ruled out economic relief for Moscow as long as the war in Ukraine continues. The US had not publicly announced Russia's planned attendance ahead of the meeting. Other recent contact includes CIA Director John Ratcliffe's visit last week to Moscow for talks with Russian intelligence officials.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said President Vladimir Putin was informed about the discussions but did not personally meet Ratcliffe. Trump described Ratcliffe's visit as semiroutine and connected it to efforts to end the war in Ukraine. US media reported Ratcliffe also raised concerns about a possible Russian attack on NATO members and Russia's relationship with Iran.

Siluanov participated in G20 discussions on the global economy, economic growth, and sovereign debt, warning that geopolitical fragmentation increasingly obstructs the free movement of goods, capital, and technology.