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US Treasury Secretary Tells Russia No Economic Relief Until Ukraine War Ends

3 sources across 2 countries · Latvia · Ukraine

Who reported this

  • Meduza Latvia · Centre-left · Crowdfunded; exiled Russian newsroom
  • Novaya Gazeta Europe Latvia · Centre-left · Crowdfunded; exiled Russian newsroom
  • Kyiv Independent Ukraine · Centre · Reader-funded, journalist-owned

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US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov that Russia will receive no economic relief or cooperation until the war in Ukraine ends. The two officials met on August 31 in Asheville, North Carolina, on the sidelines of a G20 summit of finance ministers and central bank governors. This meeting marked the first time Russia's finance minister has attended a G20 summit in person since the full scale invasion of Ukraine began in 2022.

According to sources, the discussion centered on President Donald Trump's plan for peace and economic growth. When Siluanov attempted to discuss areas of mutual interest or economic cooperation, Bessent reportedly cut him off and stated that nothing is possible until the war is over. While US Treasury undersecretary Erin Browne described the meeting as productive, the Russian Finance Ministry issued a brief statement saying the sides discussed Russian American cooperation on the financial track and G20 issues.

The presence of the Russian minister caused tension among other attendees. European officials excluded Siluanov from a group photograph, and the German Finance Minister described his reception as a troubling signal. A Ukrainian official stated that Kyiv was unaware that the meeting between Bessent and Siluanov had taken place.

How each side framed it

Centre-left
These outlets focused on the specific exchange where Bessent interrupted Siluanov and highlighted the broader European diplomatic backlash.
Centre
This outlet emphasized the strategic context of the meeting, noting the lack of a specific 28 point peace plan and the internal US debate over using sanctions relief as leverage.

Sources

100% of the statements in this article were traced back to the source articles listed above.