Russian finance minister plans to attend G20 online

Jakarta — G20 host Indonesia said on Thursday Russian finance minister Anton Siluanov confirmed he plans to attend virtually next week’s meeting of finance ministers and central bank governors.

Indonesian finance ministry official Wempi Saputra also said Jakarta was considering whether to invite Ukraine to the meeting, which will be held on April 20 in Washington “to discuss the impact of the conflict in Ukraine on global economic conditions”.

“We don’t have the capacity not to invite [any member],” said Wempi. “Indonesia has invited all members, and as of today, some have confirmed physical attendance and some virtual.”

The issue of Russia’s G20 membership has split the group, with strong calls from Western nations for it to be excluded, but support for Moscow remains from members including China.

Last week, US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said Russia should be expelled from the group and warned that Washington would boycott some G20 meetings if Russian officials show up.

German finance minister Christian Lindner also rejected any form of co-operation with Russia at the G20 level. “Russia is at present not a country with which one can interact like in the past,” Lindner said. “We assume that the G20 will take place next week and we will send a clear political message.”

Russian President Vladimir Putin sent troops into Ukraine on February 24 for what he calls a “special military operation” to demilitarise the country. Ukraine and the West say Putin launched an unprovoked war of aggression.

Moscow has said Putin intends to attend the G20 summit in Bali in November.

Indonesia, which will also host a G20 finance meeting in July, says its position is neutral and it intended to use its G20 leadership to try to resolve global economic problems.

Reuters