US warns boycotting of G20 events involving Russia

US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said Russia should be excluded from the G20 club of the world’s 20 largest economies, and warned that her country would boycott “a number of meetings” in the G20 format if Russian representatives appeared at them. This, according to Voice of America, Yellen said at a hearing in the Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives.

Speaking to lawmakers, Yellen said Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the killing of civilians in Bucha “are an unacceptable violation of the rules-based global order and will have enormous economic consequences.”

According to her, the Joe Biden administration seeks to minimize the active participation of Russia in large international organizations. At the same time, she acknowledged that Moscow is unlikely to be excluded from the International Monetary Fund because of the relevant rules.

“President Biden made it clear, and I certainly agree with him, that Russia cannot, as if nothing had happened, be present in any of the [global] financial institutions. He said that Russia should be excluded from the G20, and I made it clear to our colleagues in Indonesia that we will not participate in a number of meetings if the Russians show up there,” Yellen said.

Indonesia, which chairs the G20, will organize a meeting of finance ministers of the participating countries. In November, a summit of leaders will be held in Bali, Indonesia.

It is noted that a number of countries that are members of the G20 “reluctantly” condemned Russia’s actions against Ukraine.

A day earlier, US President Joe Biden ordered an additional $100 million in military assistance to Ukraine. It will include defense goods and services, military education, and training.

US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said that additional military assistance to Ukraine also includes an urgent supply of anti-tank systems.