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U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent poses for a commemorative photo at the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors meeting held in Asheville, North Carolina, on the 31st (local time). / Reuters, Yonhap

The U.S. administration sparked backlash from European allies on the 31st (local time) by allowing Russia, which had been virtually ostracized from the international stage, to rejoin a gathering of the world's leading economic officials. Amid concerns from European nations, the U.S. urged Russia to end the war while drawing a firm line against economic assistance.

The U.S. Department of the Treasury hosted a meeting of G20 finance ministers and central bank governors in Asheville, North Carolina, that day, Reuters reported. Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov was among the attendees, marking Russia's first participation in a G20 finance ministers' meeting since its invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent held a separate bilateral meeting with Minister Siluanov on the sidelines of the gathering. However, rather than engaging in favorable dialogue toward Russia, the talks were reportedly focused on delivering a message pressing for an end to the war. A U.S. official stated that the two discussed President Trump's peace plan for Ukraine.

Erin Brown, U.S. Treasury Under Secretary for International Affairs, told U.S. political media outlet Politico that "Secretary Bessent had a productive meeting with Minister Siluanov," adding that he "conveyed to him that the war must end and that we want a peaceful outcome." She added that the decision to invite Russia came from the White House, noting, "We are following the White House process."

A Treasury spokesperson also noted that the two discussed President Trump's plans for peace and economic growth. An official familiar with the meeting said that day that "Secretary Bessent made clear to Minister Siluanov that the U.S. will not provide economic assistance to Russia until the war in Ukraine ends."

During the closed-door meeting, when Minister Siluanov attempted to bring up areas of mutual interest where action could be taken, Secretary Bessent reportedly cut him off firmly, stating, "Nothing is possible until the war is over."

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Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov observes the plenary session while attending the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors meeting held in Asheville, North Carolina, U.S., on the 31st (local time). / Reuters, Yonhap

European economic officials pushed back against Russia's participation that day. Because of this, Minister Siluanov was unable to take part in the group photo session with the participating nations. Joining in the photo could have been perceived as a message condoning Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil told reporters, "I made it clear that I would not take a group photo with the Russian finance minister." He noted that he has upheld this practice in group photos over recent years. Polish Finance Minister Andrzej Domański said in an interview with Reuters, "I am unhappy that Russia is attending, but I recognize the host country's right to invite guests." Even so, he emphasized that Russia is an aggressor state, stating, "We do not trust Russia. They constantly lie, and one must be extremely cautious when speaking with them."

During the two-day meeting starting that day, participating nations work to prepare response measures for how the surge in artificial intelligence (AI) investments will ultimately unfold, amid a global economy shaken by energy shocks triggered by Middle East conflicts and mounting tensions surrounding China's massive goods trade surplus.

Regarding the trade dispute it is experiencing with its ally Canada, the U.S. reiterated a hardline stance, resorting to sarcastic remarks about its counterpart. Ahead of the meeting, Secretary Bessent publicly mocked Canada's reciprocal tariff policy against the U.S.

In a CNBC interview broadcast on the 31st, when asked whether the U.S. and Canada had entered a "tit-for-tat trade war," he hit back, "How can you go tit-for-tat with an opponent 13 times your size?"

He went on to point out, "Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney turned this issue into a political spat," adding, "He came to power on an anti-American and anti-Trump agenda."

He further stressed, "It is regrettable that he is doing what is best for the Liberal Party and what is best for Prime Minister Carney, rather than doing what is best for the Canadian people," adding, "In the long run, the Canadian people will come to realize that fact."

Following the breakdown of trade negotiations with Canada, the U.S. recently implemented a measure imposing a 50% tariff on Canadian imports. In response, Canada immediately carried out retaliatory measures through reciprocal tariffs.

                                                                                                           Kim Hyun-min