The G20 finance ministers’ meeting began in Asheville, North Carolina, with a focus on global economic growth. Russia, which had stayed away in recent years after the 2022 Ukraine war, returned this time with Finance Minister Anton Siluanov attending in person.
Russia’s re-entry, enabled by the United States, triggered visible discontent among European members of the bloc. Poland and Germany’s finance ministers publicly criticised the decision to allow the Russian minister back into the forum.
In a symbolic protest, several European ministers refused to join the traditional group photograph if Siluanov was included, leading organisers to take the photo without him.
Separately, journalists from outlets including Bloomberg, The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal were denied access, drawing condemnation from Germany’s finance minister. Although the meeting was convened to discuss economic growth, Siluanov’s presence led to heightened tension at the venue.
