On August 31 (local time), US President Donald Trump said that the US wants to maintain good relations with all parties when asked about Russia's participation in the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors meeting in the US.
We will see what happens, but we want to be in harmony with everyone. One of the reasons I succeed is that I am in harmony with everyone," Mr. Trump told reporters.
The statement was made after Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov unexpectedly appeared directly at the G20 meeting in Asheville, North Carolina. This is the first time Mr. Siluanov has directly attended a G20 financial meeting since the conflict in Ukraine broke out in 2022.
Mr. Siluanov also met with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on the sidelines of the meeting. According to the Russian Ministry of Finance, the two sides discussed Russia-US financial cooperation and cooperation within the framework of the G20.
The appearance of Russian officials has caused reactions from some European countries.
German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil said that welcoming Mr. Siluanov sent "a worrying signal", and said he did not want to stand with the Russian Finance Minister in a group photo.
European officials then agreed not to appear in the photo if Mr. Siluanov was present. Finally, the joint photo of the meeting was taken without the Russian Finance Minister.
According to AFP news agency, Russia's return comes as the US is seeking to promote economic cooperation within the G20, while mobilizing countries to increase economic pressure on Iran. The meeting in Asheville took place on August 31st and September 1st.
A well-informed source said that Mr. Bessent clarified that the US has no intention of providing economic support to Russia until the conflict in Ukraine ends. The White House also said that the Trump administration continues to maintain dialogue with Russia to promote an agreement to end the conflict.
