US Treasury Secretary Bessent tells Russia no sanctions relief before Ukraine war ends
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US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov at the G20 meeting in Asheville on August 31 that Washington will not ease economic pressure on Moscow until the war in Ukraine ends. The US stance was conveyed during bilateral talks on the sidelines of the finance ministers' gathering. The meeting drew sharp criticism from European officials, with German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil calling Siluanov's presence a 'disturbing signal'.
Key Facts
- US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov on August 31 that Washington will not ease sanctions until the war in Ukraine ends.
- The meeting took place on the sidelines of the G20 finance ministers' gathering in Asheville, North Carolina.
- German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil called Siluanov's presence at the G20 meeting a 'disturbing signal' and refused to appear in a group photo with him.
- The Russian Finance Ministry said the two ministers discussed Russian-American financial cooperation and work within the G20.
US Position on Sanctions
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov that Washington will not ease economic pressure on Moscow until the war in Ukraine ends. Bessent made clear that Russia should not expect sanctions relief or progress on other agreements before the war concludes. The exchange occurred during a bilateral meeting on August 31 at the G20 finance ministers' gathering in Asheville, North Carolina. The Russian Finance Ministry said the two sides discussed Russian-American financial cooperation and work within the G20.
European Reaction
German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil called Siluanov's presence at the G20 meeting a 'disturbing signal'. Klingbeil said he would not participate in the traditional group photo if Siluanov was in it. The official photo of the participants was eventually taken without the Russian minister. Klingbeil said he urged Siluanov at a morning meeting to work toward ending the war and reaffirmed Berlin's support for Ukraine.
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