G20 finance leaders closed their two-day meeting on Tuesday with a statement that all but China fully endorsed, as Washington insisted that the presence of a Russian minister had no effect on the talks. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the fact that nearly all participants accepted the president’s final statement suggested there has been “no impact” from Russia’s assistance. Ukraine’s European allies expressed frustration after Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov was welcomed to US-hosted meetings in Asheville, North Carolina. The raging war in the Middle East and President Donald Trump’s tariffs also loomed over the meeting. Read moreWhat to know about Trump’s tariffs on Canada and the escalating trade war The president’s statement called for “free, safe and predictable navigation through the Strait of Hormuz,” although China took issue with that section. Tehran has largely blocked the important waterway since the war began in late February with US and Israeli attacks on Iran. A traditional “family photo” of G20 participants was taken on Monday without Siluanov, following protests from European officials. An EU spokesman said representatives were given short notice of Siluanov’s attendance. “There is no doubt that it created unrest,” Canadian Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne told AFP on Tuesday when asked if Siluanov’s appearance influenced the discussions. EU economic chief Valdis Dombrovskis told reporters it was not the time to “normalise” Russia’s presence at such events. He said Moscow’s inclusion involves discussing sensitive economic issues with representatives of a government that is “fighting an aggressive war” and “killing civilians daily” in its conflict in Ukraine. But Bessent responded at a news conference: “I know some Europeans have a bitter taste, but I think it is very important to compromise.” “And I must point out that the Finance Minister I met with is not authorized,” he added of Siluanov. The tension also comes as Germany blamed Russia on Tuesday for an attempted “hybrid attack” involving a drone on a strategic German airport last month and unveiled diplomatic countermeasures. Read moreThe US Treasury bans certain journalists from attending the G20 meeting in North Carolina. The United States holds the rotating presidency of the G20 and Washington was also pushing this week for support from its partners on sanctions on Iran and reducing trade imbalances. Asked if he also pressured Russia to cut its support for Iran, Bessent previously told reporters that “many conversations are better done in private.” ‘Persistent imbalances’ Another issue China took issue with was a statement that “excessive and persistent imbalances pose risks and can lead to economic distortions.” This echoes criticism of industrial overcapacity in the world’s second-largest economy, which critics say creates unfair competition and drives down prices. “We need to discuss and consider collective action, because global imbalances as they are today are not sustainable,” Champagne said. “Everyone has to be at that table.” The G20 is made up of 19 nations plus the EU and the African Union, and was established in the wake of the 1997-1998 Asian financial crisis to boost global economic and financial stability. The G20 financial talks also set the stage for a leaders’ summit that Trump will convene in December in Miami. Another issue that emerged was support for Ukraine, which was also discussed on the sidelines of the meeting by the small Group of Seven advanced economies. Moscow has stepped up its attacks on Kyiv this summer. The US-brokered talks remain frozen as the Kremlin maintains its maximalist demands to end the war. German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil said Tuesday that there has been an “increase in brutal rocket attacks against civilians.” “All this has to come to an end,” he added. Klingbeil said he and other European ministers “made our position on Ukraine absolutely clear.” When G7 leaders met on Monday night, he said Ukraine’s finance minister joined remotely for talks on support for kyiv. (FRANCE 24 with AFP)