US Treasury chief Scott Bessent says Russia-US agreements and economic relief are impossible until the Ukraine conflict ends, Reuters reports.
US Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent © Valery Sharifulin
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said agreements between Washington and Moscow cannot be reached until the Ukraine conflict ends, according to Reuters. The remarks were reportedly made during his meeting with Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov in Asheville, North Carolina. The Times of Russia reported the development as discussions between the two countries continue over financial and other issues.
US Treasury Russia Ukraine Conflict Agreements Ruled Out
According to a source cited by Reuters, Scott Bessent told Anton Siluanov that no economic relief for Russia or agreements on other matters would be possible before the conflict in Ukraine comes to an end.
The meeting between the US Treasury Secretary and the Russian Finance Minister was held in Asheville, North Carolina, on the sidelines of the Group of 20 (G20) finance ministers and central bank governors meeting.
The G20 finance ministers meeting is taking place from August 31 to September 1.
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Scott Bessent and Anton Siluanov Discuss Financial Issues
Russia’s Finance Ministry said earlier that the meeting focused on Russia-US financial cooperation and collaboration within the G20.
According to the ministry, the discussions “discussed issues related to Russia-US cooperation on the financial track, as well as cooperation within the Group of 20.”
The meeting comes as US Russia relations remain closely linked to developments surrounding the Ukraine conflict. The reported position from Washington indicates that broader economic arrangements involving Russia remain dependent on the conflict’s conclusion.
US Russia Economic Relief Remains Unavailable
Reuters, citing its source, reported that Bessent made clear that economic relief for Russia would not be possible while the conflict continues.
CNBC separately reported, citing a Treasury Department official, that the Bessent-Siluanov meeting also included discussions about US President Donald Trump’s “peace plan.”
The discussions therefore covered both Russia-US cooperation on financial matters and issues connected with efforts toward resolving the conflict.
US Treasury Department Yet to Comment
The US Department of the Treasury had not immediately responded to a request for comment from The Times of Russia regarding the meeting.
The reported comments from Scott Bessent indicate that Washington does not expect agreements involving Russia, including potential economic relief, to move forward until the Ukraine conflict has ended.
The meeting between Bessent and Siluanov took place during the G20 finance ministers and central bank governors gathering in Asheville from August 31 to September 1.
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