US opens door for Russia to rejoin G20, ending diplomatic isolation
US President Donald Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin (Photo: Getty Images)
The Russian delegation has arrived in Washington for the first G20 Sherpa meeting under US leadership following a long period of diplomatic isolation, according to Russian media.
It is currently known that the Russian delegation is headed by Russia’s Sherpa, Svetlana Lukash, with accompanying officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Finance, and the Presidential Administration.
The first meetings of Sherpas and finance representatives of the member states will take place on December 15–16. Russia’s participation in the forum demonstrates the US's willingness to involve Moscow in discussions on key global economic and geopolitical issues, while simultaneously controlling the agenda.
According to US plans for 2026, the G20 under their leadership will focus on economic deregulation, the development of reliable and affordable energy supply chains, and the implementation of new technologies. These measures are expected to strengthen global stability and security, while also creating opportunities for more transparent international dialogue.
About the G20
The G20 is an informal group of 19 of the world’s leading economies, the African Union, and the European Union. Together, they account for 85% of global GDP, 75% of global trade, and represent two-thirds of the world’s population.
G20 membership:
- 19 member states: Australia, Argentina, Brazil, UK, India, Indonesia, Italy, Canada, China, Mexico, Germany, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, France, US, Japan, South Africa, Russia
- European Union
- African Union
G20 meetings take place at the level of heads of state, finance ministers, central bank governors, and Sherpas - government-appointed intermediaries and coordinators.
In recent years, the organization has increasingly focused on geopolitical issues, making it an important platform for managing global crises and ensuring economic security.
By the way, US President Donald Trump recently once again sharply criticized Europe, making it clear that Washington no longer views European countries as unconditional official allies.
At the same time, the administration of US President Donald Trump is discussing the creation of a new grouping of countries involving China and Russia, which would serve as an alternative to the G7.
Earlier, G7 countries stated that they were ready to consider the possibility of confiscating all frozen Russian assets in order to achieve a just peace in Ukraine.
