Russian representative to attend G20 energy meeting in US for first time in years
A Russian representative will take part in the G20 energy ministers' meeting in Houston next week. This will mark another return of Russian officials to in-person group events under the US presidency after several years of Moscow's diplomatic isolation due to the war against Ukraine.
This is reported by Reuters citing a White House representative.
The name of the Russian official who will come to Houston has not yet been disclosed by the US administration.
The G20 energy ministerial meeting will be held in Houston from September 14 to 16. US Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum will participate in the talks from the US side. Ministers and high-level representatives from European and Asian countries are also expected to attend.
The main topics of the talks will be energy security and affordability, development of reliable baseload generation, acceleration of permitting procedures for energy infrastructure, and creation of resilient supply chains for critical minerals.
The meeting takes place against the backdrop of major disruptions in the global energy market. Military escalation in the Middle East and restrictions on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz have led to oil supply disruptions, while European countries are also continuing to reduce dependence on Russian energy resources.
Russia returns to G20 meetings under US presidency
The participation of a Russian representative in Houston continues the new approach of the Donald Trump administration to Moscow's presence at G20 events.
In late August, Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov personally attended the G20 finance ministers and central bank governors meeting in Asheville, USA. This was the first in-person participation of a Russian finance minister in such an event since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Washington's decision to invite Siluanov then sparked discontent among a number of European countries. Representatives of Germany and other EU states refused to be photographed together with the Russian delegation. As a result, the official group photo was taken without the Russian minister.
US President Donald Trump, answering a question about inviting Russia, explained the decision by Washington's desire to maintain contacts with various countries. He stated that the US wants to "get along with everyone".
US refuses to discuss economic concessions to Moscow
Despite the resumption of in-person contacts, the US administration has also signaled to Moscow that it does not intend to lift economic restrictions until the war against Ukraine ends.
On the sidelines of the August G20 meeting, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent held separate talks with Siluanov. According to sources, Bessent told the Russian minister that Moscow would not receive economic relief until the war ends.
When Siluanov tried to move to discussing potential areas of economic cooperation, Bessent, according to a source, cut off that part of the conversation and stressed that relevant arrangements are impossible while the war continues.
Thus, the invitation of a Russian official to the G20 energy meeting does not yet mean a change in US sanctions policy. Washington is simultaneously resuming direct contacts with Moscow and maintaining the possibility of further economic pressure.
In the same week as the Houston meeting, the US House of Representatives is expected to consider a new sanctions bill against Russia. The document includes the possibility of imposing tough restrictions on the largest buyers of Russian energy resources.
