Allies bristle as sanctioned Russian finance minister attends U.S.-hosted G20 summit

ASHEVILLE, North Carolina — Traditionally the “family photo” of finance ministers at a G20 meeting is a dull, grimacing group clad mostly in gray. But this year’s picture may be much more interesting for some because of whom it omits. Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov — who has been sanctioned by the United States in April 2022 — was left out after complaints from some of Ukraine’s European allies as he attended his first Group of 20 summit on U.S. soil since President Vladimir Putin invaded his neighbor four years ago, NBC News has learned. Having served in the role since 2011, Siluanov is widely considered to be one of Putin’s most trusted Cabinet members. But he was given the cold shoulder by some of those in attendance at the event in Asheville, North Carolina, although he addressed the summit and met with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. Bessent told NBC News on Tuesday that he brought up “with everyone that we have implemented our economic outcast policy, and that we expect everyone to come along with us.” He was referring to sanctions he introduced last week targeting countries and international entities facilitating trade with Iran. Asked about Siluanov’s response, Bessent said: “Many conversations are best done privately.” But a source familiar with the meeting told NBC News on Monday that Bessent, who sanctioned Russia’s two largest oil companies in October, had made clear to his counterpart the “U.S. will not provide Russia with economic relief until the war in Ukraine is over.” When Siluanov tried to discuss areas of interest, Bessent “forcefully interrupted and said nothing is possible until the war is over,” the source added. The pair met on the sidelines of the forum, with the discussion focusing on “Russian-American cooperation,” the Russian Finance Ministry said in a statement on its website. The ministry did not immediately react to NBC News’ request for comment about Siluanov’s omission from the “family photo.” Siluanov’s presence appeared to rattle some of Ukraine’s European allies including German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil who said the signal sent ​by ​receiving the ⁠Russian finance minister in the U.S. was “quite troubling.” “I would have wanted greater clarity from the American side that he should not be received here as a normal guest,” he told reporters on the sidelines of the summit of leading rich and developing nations Monday. Valdis Dombrovskis, European commissioner for the economy, echoed those concerns Tuesday. The European Union did not see it as a time to “normalize” Russia, he said at a media briefing. “We also have problems discussing sensible diplomatic matters with representatives of a country waging an aggressive war and which are killing civilians on a daily basis,” he added. There was no immediate reaction to NBC News’ request for comment about Siluanov’s attendance from the Ukrainisn Foreign Ministry, but Andrzej Domanski, the finance minister from neighboring Poland, told Reuters he was unhappy to see Russia represented, although he recognized the right of G20 hosts to invite guests. Asked by reporters at the Oval Office about the invitation to Siluanov, President Donald Trump said Monday: “Well, we are 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.” And Erin Browne, treasury undersecretary for international affairs, said Monday the delegation was invited because Russia is a member of the G20. “It’s important to have dialogue even during times of conflict. We’ve had constructive dialogue around the table in the plenary session,” she said. While Siluanov has previously attended G20 finance minister meetings outside the U.S. after the invasion of Ukraine, his appearance on American soil follows years of political and economic isolation of Russia from Western countries in an attempt to pressure the Kremlin to negotiate an end to the conflict. In April 2022, officials from several countries, including then-Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, walked out of a G20 meeting in Washington as Siluanov gave his remarks by video conference. Russia was suspended from the Group of Eight leading industrialized nations after it annexed the Crimean Peninsula from Ukraine in 2014, but has remained a member of the G20. NBC News has asked German and Polish finance ministries for further comment, as well the finance ministries of other European allies of Ukraine in the G20 including Italy, France and the United Kingdom.