The opening of the G20 finance ministers' meeting in Asheville, in the United States, was marked by friction between American hosts and European allies after last-minute confirmation of the participation of Russian representative Anton Siluanov. Delegations from Western countries that support Ukraine in the war against Moscow protested against the Russian's presence, threatening to compromise the event.
The Republican US government intended to use the meeting to convince powerful countries to join its economic war against Iran. However, Siluanov's presence generated embarrassment and diverted attention from the main objective of the meeting.
The main European capitals have shown support for Ukraine since the first days of the Russian invasion in February 2022. In addition to economic and military aid packages to Kyiv, European countries have worked to isolate Moscow economically and politically, and do not want to give any indication of a change in position.
The moment is especially sensitive because Russian forces have been expanding bombings on Kyiv. The American invitation to the Russian representative was considered an embarrassment by European delegations, who seek to maintain Russia's international isolation.
