US hosts Russia at G20 amid press bans and trade tensions

G20 finance ministers and central bank heads gathered in Asheville, North Carolina, for two days of talks. The meeting was overshadowed by the US inviting Russia's finance minister Anton Siluanov, the first in-person Russian invite since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, which drew criticism from European ministers. Several US media outlets, including Bloomberg, the Wall Street Journal, and the New York Times, complained about denied or limited access. Additionally, the ongoing Iran war and US-Canada trade tensions added to the strained atmosphere. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent held a bilateral meeting with Siluanov, reportedly telling him that the US would not provide economic relief until Russia ends its invasion. German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil criticized the Russian invite and the press bans, while Polish Finance Minister Andrzej Domanski expressed distrust of Russia. Bessent also sought support for 'Operation Economic Outcast,' an intensified sanctions regime against Iran. Canada's Finance Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne downplayed the impact of recent trade friction.