Trump Draws Backlash For Inviting Russian Finance Chief To G20 Summit

Asheville, North Carolina —

President Donald Trump is facing sharp criticism from European allies after his administration invited Russia's finance minister to a G20 summit in Asheville, North Carolina, the first time Russia has attended such talks in person since its full scale invasion of Ukraine more than four years ago.

Finance Minister Anton Siluanov of Russia showed up as the two day meeting of G20 finance ministers and central bank chiefs opened Monday, according to the Independent and Deutsche Welle. He held a private meeting with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. Trump defended the invitation when reporters asked him about it. "We like getting along with everybody," he said, adding that the approach was part of why he considers himself successful.

European Allies Push Back

Several European officials refused to stand with Siluanov for the summit's customary group photo, a protest Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil of Germany said reflected a common position among European Union delegations, according to Deutsche Welle. The photo was eventually taken without Siluanov and away from cameras.

"I find the signal sent by receiving the Russian finance minister here quite troubling," Klingbeil said, according to the Independent. He said he wanted the American side to make clear that Siluanov would not be treated as an ordinary guest.

Finance Minister Andrzej Domanski of Poland told Reuters he accepted that G20 hosts have the right to invite whoever they choose, but said he was unhappy to see Russia represented. "We do not trust Russia. They lie constantly, and you need to be really, really cautious while discussing with them," he said. The last time Siluanov joined a G20 session, in April 2022, officials from the United States, Britain, Canada and the European Central Bank walked out in protest, the Independent reported.

Treasury Defends The Meeting

A Treasury spokesperson described Bessent's sit down with Siluanov as "productive," saying it reinforced Trump's push for peace, according to the Financial Times as cited by the Independent. A person familiar with the meeting told Reuters that Bessent warned Siluanov the United States would not offer Russia any economic relief until the war in Ukraine ends.

Erin Browne, a Treasury undersecretary for international affairs, told The Washington Post that dialogue matters "even during times of conflict," and said the plenary session had produced constructive conversation despite European objections.

The summit was also overshadowed by limits on press access. Bloomberg News said it was denied entry, while the Wall Street Journal and the New York Times said some of their reporters were refused credentials, according to Deutsche Welle. Klingbeil called the exclusions "unacceptable." The gathering unfolded as the global economy absorbs an energy shock from the Iran war, rising friction over China's trade surplus, and a sudden downturn in US trade relations with Canada.