Polish Finance and Economy Minister Andrzej Domański challenged Russian Economic Development Minister Maksim Reshetnikov during a G20 meeting in the United States after the Russian official made accusations against the European Union and Ukraine over the war and the situation in the Black Sea.
The exchange took place on Thursday, 1 October, during the G20 Trade Ministerial in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. According to the Polish Radio account of the exchange, Reshetnikov accused the EU of hypocrisy and argued that European measures affecting Russia’s commercial fleet amounted to “piracy”. He also accused Ukraine of having initiated aggressive actions in the Black Sea. Those claims reflected the Russian government’s position and were contested by the Polish delegation.
Domański responded that the Russian minister had reversed the underlying facts of the conflict, according to the Polish delegation. Speaking after the exchange, he said the Russian side had been denying “fundamental facts” and that he had reminded participants “who is the aggressor, who attacked Ukraine”. Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
- Find more news from Poland on our Homepage .
The confrontation came after Domański had already used the Milwaukee meeting to criticise Russian actions affecting Ukrainian agricultural exports. He said Poland had taken a firm position against Russian activity in the Black Sea that Warsaw argues has obstructed Ukrainian grain exports and contributed to pressure on global food supplies.
Food security was part of the formal agenda of the meeting. The Office of the US Trade Representative said the ministerial would focus on four main areas: the weaponisation of food, structural excess production, the Most-Favoured-Nation principle and forced labour in global supply chains.
Before the meeting, Domański had said that he did not intend to hold bilateral talks with Russian representatives, continuing the approach he had taken at previous G20 meetings. He said Poland would nevertheless use the forum to state its position on Russia’s invasion and its economic consequences.
Russia remains a G20 member. Poland is not currently a permanent member but is participating in the group’s work during the United States’ 2026 presidency after receiving an invitation from Washington. Warsaw is simultaneously pursuing permanent membership, with Domański holding discussions with other governments about Poland’s bid.
The Milwaukee meeting was held on 30 September and 1 October and was hosted by US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. Poland’s participation comes as Warsaw seeks to translate its increased economic weight into a permanent role in the forum, while its presence alongside Russia also places the war in Ukraine and its economic effects directly inside G20 discussions.
