Russian Delegation Attends First G20 Sherpa Talks Under US Chairmanship

A Russian delegation has arrived in Washington on December 15 for the first meeting of G20 sherpas under the United States’ chairmanship, marking Moscow’s return to the forum after a prolonged period of diplomatic isolation.

According to Russian media cited by RBC-Ukraine, the delegation is led by Russia’s G20 sherpa, Svetlana Lukash, and includes representatives from the Foreign Ministry, the Finance Ministry, and the presidential administration.

The initial meetings of G20 sherpas and finance officials are scheduled for December 15–16. Russia’s participation is seen as an indication that the United States is prepared to engage Moscow in discussions on key global economic and geopolitical issues, while maintaining control over the forum’s agenda.

Under US plans for its 2026 G20 presidency, the group will focus on economic deregulation, the development of reliable and affordable energy supply chains, and the adoption of new technologies. Washington says these priorities are intended to strengthen global stability and security and promote more transparent international dialogue.

The G20 is an informal forum comprising 19 of the world’s leading economies, along with the European Union and the African Union. Together, its members account for about 85% of global GDP, 75% of world trade, and roughly two-thirds of the global population.

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G20 meetings are held at the level of national leaders, finance ministers and central bank governors, as well as sherpas, who serve as government coordinators and intermediaries. In recent years, the forum has increasingly focused on geopolitical issues, reinforcing its role as a key platform for addressing global crises and economic security.

Earlier, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has rejected a key element of the US peace plan for Ukraine that proposes restoring Russia to the G8, saying there is no support for such a move among the other G7 members, except the US, DW reported on November 24.

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