Official: US rules out economic relief for Russia until war ends

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent made clear to Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov that Washington would not provide Russia with economic relief until the war in Ukraine ends, according to a person familiar with their meeting.

The meeting took place as Russia returned to a US-hosted G20 gathering, exposing tensions between the Trump administration and European allies over how to deal with Moscow while the war continues, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

Siluanov attended the first day of talks in Asheville, North Carolina, on Monday and held a one-on-one meeting with Bessent. Erin Browne, the Treasury’s undersecretary for international affairs, said Bessent had told him that the war needed to end and that Washington wanted a peaceful outcome.

The White House made the decision to include Russia, according to Browne. Asked about the move, President Donald Trump said: “We like getting along with everybody.”

The decision to include Siluanov prompted opposition from European officials. German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil said he had made clear that he would not pose for a group photograph with the Russian minister.

Klingbeil said European officials coordinated their position, resulting in the group photograph being taken without Siluanov or the Russian delegation.

The move marks a significant change from the approach taken by the US after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022. During the Biden administration, US and European officials publicly opposed Russia’s participation in international economic forums, with then-Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen among Western officials who walked out of a G20 meeting when a Russian official began speaking.

Klingbeil said he also told Siluanov directly that Russia must end the war against Ukraine.

The inclusion of Russia was criticised by Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen, who said the Trump administration should be putting pressure on President Vladimir Putin rather than giving Russian officials a platform. She also urged the House to take up a new Russia sanctions package that had overwhelmingly passed the Senate earlier this month.

By Aghakazim Guliyev