IMF Walkout as Russian Official Speaks; Ukrainian Central Bank Chief Left Speechless

Many delegates walked out of an International Monetary Fund steering committee meeting on Saturday when Russia's finance minister, Anton Siluanov, began speaking in Russian, according to three sources familiar with the situation. The walkout included European Union members and was later confirmed by Bundesbank President Joachim Nagel, who said nearly half the attendees left. The incident occurred during the IMF and World Bank annual meetings in Bangkok, reflecting deep divisions that have prevented consensus statements since Russia's February 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Ukrainian central bank chief Andriy Pyshnyi, who also left the room, said he was impressed by the large number of officials who joined him in protest. Pyshnyi described the mass exit as a profound and emotional moment that sent an important signal to Russia and its supporters, stating that the unprovoked aggression must be stopped. The walkout highlights renewed tensions between the US and Ukraine this year.