Delegates from several European countries walked out during a meeting of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Saturday, as Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov addressed the group in Russian. Multiple sources familiar with the incident confirmed the walkout.
The meeting took place amid ongoing tensions stemming from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which has hindered consensus among members of the International Monetary and Financial Committee since the conflict began in February 2022. This week’s annual meetings of the IMF and World Bank in Bangkok have seen renewed divisions, particularly between the United States and Ukraine, further complicating diplomatic discussions.
According to one source, a significant number of delegations, including representatives from the European Union, chose to leave the meeting. A second official noted that nearly a dozen delegates exited the room once Siluanov started speaking. Among those who walked out were delegates from Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Norway, Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia.
The incident underscores the ongoing strife within international financial discussions surrounding the implications of the war in Ukraine and the impact on global economic stability. As the meetings progress, further developments in diplomatic relations and discussions on financial policies are anticipated.
