G-20 meeting in Asheville generates tension due to invitation to Russia and exclusion of South Africa

History explains that meetings of G-20 finance ministers and central bank governors are not usually exciting.

But this year's event, in Asheville (North Carolina), has two controversies that encourage it. The host, the Government of Donald Trump, has prevented South Africa from attending, due to the alleged racism suffered by whites, and, above all, has irritated by inviting Russia for the first time in four years, when it invaded Ukraine.

In a meeting marked by the possible malicious use of AI, the greatest source of economic growth and also the most likely danger of destabilizing the system, the White House's decision to open the door of the G-20 to Anton Siluanov, Minister of Finance in Vladimir Putin's executive, provoked strong opposition from European colleagues to the United States decision.

Europeans expressed concern that Siluanov's presence at the Asheville summit of the world's 20 largest economies would contribute to normalizing relations with Moscow in the midst of a large-scale war against Ukraine.

July was the deadliest month for Ukrainian civilians, amid increased Russian attacks with ballistic missiles and drones, as well as shortages of ammunition for air defense systems. And the fighting over the winter is expected to intensify the suffering in Ukraine.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent met with the Russian leader and, according to US sources, made it clear that the US will not provide economic relief" to Russia until the war in Ukraine ends. Bessent would have told him that nothing is possible as long as that war continues.

However, Trump has downplayed support for Ukraine and threatened them since his return to power. In this rejection, even in the American media it was highlighted that Russia is with China on the side of Iran.

German Minister Lars Klingbeil declared at the summit that he was concerned about the message the US was sending to Russia by inviting it to the G-20 and noted that Europe is preparing another package of sanctions against Moscow.

“I would have liked greater clarity from the American side that the Russian minister should not be received here as a normal guest,” he told Reuters.

The Europeans objected to appearing in the participants' usual family photo, until the Russian pulled out.