US irks Germany, Europe with Russian G20 invite, press bans
The United States caused friction with European allies and Germany by inviting Russia's sanctioned finance minister to a G20 meeting in Asheville. While the US welcomed Russia back to the summit, European ministers shunned the Russian representative and protested the invitation. Additionally, the US irked G20 participants by barring journalists from the event. Despite these tensions and dissent from China, the G20 eventually backed a final statement. US official Bessent met with his Russian counterpart but maintained that pressure and economic restrictions will persist until the war in Ukraine ends.
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- ✓ The US invited the Russian finance minister to a G20 meeting in Asheville.
- ✓ European ministers shunned the Russian finance minister at the US-hosted meeting.
- ✓ The US barred journalists from the G20 event.
- ✓ The G20 backed a final statement despite tensions regarding Russia and dissent from China.
What changed
The US invited Russia back to the G20 and barred press, leading to protests from European allies.
Live updates
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US-hosted G20 sparks European backlash over Russian invite and press bans
The United States caused friction with European allies and Germany by inviting Russia's sanctioned finance minister to a G20 meeting in Asheville. While the US welcomed Russia back to the summit, European ministers shunned the Russian representative and protested the invitation. Additionally, the US irked G20 participants by barring journalists from the event. Despite these tensions and dissent from China, the G20 eventually backed a final statement. US official Bessent met with his Russian counterpart but maintained that pressure and economic restrictions will persist until the war in Ukraine ends.
Why it matters
This marks the first G20 attendance for the Russian finance minister since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The move signals a shift in US diplomatic engagement under Trump, contrasting with the European stance that there is no return to normality with Moscow.
What is confirmed
- The US invited the Russian finance minister to a G20 meeting in Asheville.
- European ministers shunned the Russian finance minister at the US-hosted meeting.
- The US barred journalists from the G20 event.
- The G20 backed a final statement despite tensions regarding Russia and dissent from China.
- Bessent met with the Russian finance minister at the G20.
Still unconfirmed
- Bessent told Russia there would be no economic relief until the Ukraine war ends.
- Russia and the US see grounds for financial ties, according to the Russian finance minister.
What to watch next
- Official confirmation of specific economic relief conditions for Russia.
- European diplomatic responses to the G20 final statement.
confidence 90%Sources used for this update (18)
- The Washington Post — Russian finance minister, invited by Trump, draws objections at G-20 meeting
- Reuters — US irks G20 ministers by bringing back Russia, barring journalists
- Politico — Trump welcomes Russia back to the G20. Europe isn’t having it.
- CNBC — Bessent reportedly tells Russia no economic relief until Ukraine war ends as Europe snubs Moscow at G20
- Financial Times — Europeans shun Russian finance minister at US-hosted G20 meeting
- Axios — Bessent met with Russian counterpart at G20
- dw.com — US irks Germany, Europe with Russian G20 invite, press bans
- The Hill — Europe blasts Russian finance minister’s attendance at Asheville G20
- NBC News — Allies bristle as sanctioned Russian finance minister attends U.S.-hosted G20 summit
- The New York Times — Europe Protests as U.S. Invites Russian Minister to G20 Finance Meeting
- Foreign Policy — Moscow’s Moment of Global Summitry
- CNBC — CNBC Daily Open: A surprise seat for Russia at the G20 table
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