Brief
Bank of England governor joins walkout at IMF meeting over Russian minister’s speech
Governor Andrew Bailey left the IMF session in Bangkok alongside European counterparts in protest of Russian involvement.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey participated in a walkout of finance leaders at an International Monetary Fund meeting in Bangkok, protesting the Russian finance minister Anton Siluanov’s address in Russian, the Guardian reported.
Bailey joined delegates from France, Germany, and several Scandinavian and Baltic nations who left when Siluanov began speaking. German Bundesbank president Joachim Nagel said nearly half of all delegates walked out.
The walkout was noted by IMF steering committee chair Saudi Finance Minister Mohammed al‑Jadaan, who said the meeting achieved its purpose. A European diplomat told Reuters the Ukraine war is existential for Europe and relations with Russia cannot be normalised.
U.S. Treasury under‑secretary Erin Browne told Reuters Washington supported Russia’s presence despite European concerns. The IMF meeting also highlighted resilience of the global economy amid the Ukraine war and tensions in the Strait of Hormuz.
Key facts
- Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey walked out of an IMF meeting in Bangkok (theguardian.com)
- The walkout occurred when Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov spoke in Russian (theguardian.com)
- German Bundesbank president Joachim Nagel said nearly half of delegates left (theguardian.com)
- Saudi Finance Minister Mohammed al‑Jadaan acknowledged the walkout (theguardian.com)
- U.S. Treasury under‑secretary Erin Browne said Washington supported Russia’s presence (theguardian.com)
Sources
- [1] theguardian.com — originally reported as “Bank of England governor walks out of IMF summit in protest against Russia”
