US to Skip Some G20 Meetings Attended by Russia

Considering Additional Sanctions Card

Janet Yellen, U.S. Secretary of the Treasury
Photo by AP News Agency

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] The United States plans to boycott some major Group of 20 (G20) meetings in protest of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, while urging International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank (WB) member countries to strengthen pressure on Russia.

A senior U.S. Treasury official stated on the 18th (local time) that "the focus will be on strictly cracking down on countries attempting to evade the comprehensive sanctions imposed on Russia and those facilitating such efforts."

U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen will attend the IMF and WB Spring Meetings held in Washington D.C. from the 18th to the 24th and will represent the United States at the G7 (Group of Seven) and G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors meetings on the 20th.

The official refrained from providing specific details during the briefing but hinted at the possibility of additional sanctions targeting Russia's economy and leadership. Deputy Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo also warned at an event that "by destroying Russia's military-industrial complex and supply chains, we will gradually dismantle its defense sector."

Secretary Yellen also plans to boycott some meetings attended by Russia. Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov is expected to participate via video conference rather than in person. Yellen had announced at a U.S. House Financial Services Committee hearing on the 6th that she would not attend G20 meetings if Russia participated, and she intends to follow through on this.

The official explained, "(Yellen's boycott) is to emphasize the U.S. view that Russia should be excluded from global financial institutions." However, she plans to attend meetings discussing the Ukraine issue regardless of Russia's participation.

Secretary Yellen is also scheduled to hold a private bilateral meeting with Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal. During the meeting, she is expected to reaffirm the Biden administration's firm support for the Ukrainian people and emphasize a joint commitment to providing the necessary aid to Ukraine. Deputy Secretary Adeyemo will also meet with Ukrainian Finance Minister Serhiy Marchenko.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.