The European Union expressed strong disapproval on Tuesday regarding the attendance of Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov at the G20 summit hosted by the United States. EU officials underscored that this is “not at all the moment for normalizing” relations with Moscow, according to reports.
Valdis Dombrovskis, the European Commissioner for Economy and Productivity, stated at the G20 finance ministers’ meeting in Asheville, North Carolina, that “it is not the time to normalize Russia or its presence at these types of meetings.”
Dombrovskis further remarked that it has always been challenging for him to discuss sensitive topics with representatives of regimes engaged in warfare and the daily killing of civilians, referring to Russia’s ongoing conflict with Ukraine.
His press briefing occurred just before the final discussions at the G20 summit resumed. Notably, Siluanov’s unexpected appearance on Monday placed him among dozens of delegates at the oval table.
This allowed him to engage in discussions with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, the meeting’s host and a prominent figure during President Donald Trump’s second term. Trump’s administration had sought to foster closer ties with Moscow since returning to the White House, which has frustrated the EU that staunchly supports Ukraine.
On the same day, the European bloc successfully ensured that Siluanov was excluded from the traditional group photograph. During his press conference, Dombrovskis revealed that he had pressured finance ministers to increase their financial assistance to Ukraine.
