Bessent Criticizes Germany Over Siluanov Photo Boycott
The U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent expressed disappointment over Germany's finance minister Lars Klingbeil's refusal to participate in a group photo with Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov at the G20 meeting in Asheville, citing it as a sign of strained U.S.-Europe relations. Klingbeil stated he was annoyed by the invitation to Siluanov, viewing it as an attempt to normalize ties with Russia amid the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Consensus
- Scott Bessent expressed dissatisfaction with Lars Klingbeil's behavior toward Anton Siluanov at the G20 summit in Asheville.
- Lars Klingbeil refused to participate in a group photograph with Anton Siluanov.
- Other European finance ministers supported Klingbeil's decision to exclude Siluanov from the photo.
- The incident occurred during the G20 meeting held in Asheville on August 31 and September 1.
- Anton Siluanov attended the G20 meeting for the first time since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine began.
- The U.S. invited Siluanov to the meeting despite European opposition.
- Bessent emphasized the necessity of dialogue with Russia to resolve the war in Ukraine.
- Klingbeil stated he was irritated by the invitation to Siluanov and viewed it as an attempt to normalize relations with Russia.
Points of divergence
- Bessent claimed Klingbeil stood up and turned his back during Siluanov's speech. — kommerstant
- One source cited by Bloomberg disputed Bessent's claim, stating Klingbeil instead engaged in a debate with Siluanov and called for an end to hostilities in Ukraine. — kommerstant
- Bessent invited Siluanov to the G20 meeting without consulting European leaders. — vedomosti
- Klingbeil and other European officials had pre-arranged a boycott of the group photo if Siluanov was present. — vm
- Klingbeil explicitly stated on the plenary session that he would not pose with Siluanov. — tg_tvrain
- Klingbeil said he made his position clear during the plenary session. — tvrain
Coverage (10 sources)
- Bessent criticized the head of the German Ministry of Finance for its attitude towards Siluanov — Коммерсантъ
- Disagreements over Russia have increased tensions in US-Europe relations, Bloomberg reports citing sources... — ТАСС (Telegram)
- Bessent dissatisfied with German Finance Ministry's attitude towards Siluanov at G20 — Ведомости
- Klingbay's refusal to pose with Siluanov caused dissatisfaction in Washington — Вести
- Bloomberg: Bessent condemned Europeans' hostile attitude toward Siluanov at G20 summit — Вечерняя Москва
- «If the parties do not talk, how can a solution be found?». US Treasury Secretary on Russia's participation in the G20 summit — Дождь (Telegram)
- If the parties do not talk, how can a solution be found. Bessent explained the invitation of Siluanov to G20 — Дождь
- Siluanov commented on the results of the meeting with Bessent at G20 in Asheville — Интерфакс
- US Treasury Secretary Explained 'Acidic' Europeans' Presence of Siluanov at G20 — Вести
- Reuters: Russia's invitation to G20 caused European ministers' dissatisfaction — Ведомости
Key entities
- Siluan
- Scott Bessent
- USA
- Russia
- G20
- Lars Klingbeil
- Bloomberg
- Ministry of Finance
- Germany
- Moscow
- Reuters
- Europe
- FRG
More on Siluan
- Siluanov's G20 Appearance Shocks Europe
- Bessent tells Siluanov no deals until Ukraine war ends
- Siluanov attends G20 summit, meets Bessent on Trump's peace plan
More on Scott Bessent
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- Ukraine's strikes raise global fuel prices, U.S. says
- U.S. Blames Ukraine for Global Energy Crisis