Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov — who was sanctioned by the US in 2022 — was left out of the group photo after complaints from some of Ukraine's European allies as he attended his first Group of 20 summit on U.S. soil sincethe war between Russia and Ukraine began four years ago, according to NBC News.
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 US 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.”
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.”
