US, EU hold talks on Iran sanctions pressure and Ukraine recovery

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has stated he discussed economic pressure on Iran and the reconstruction of Ukraine during a meeting with Valdis Dombrovskis, the EU Commissioner for Economy.

Sharing a post on X, Bessent said he informed Dombrovskis about the measures taken by the US Treasury Department to exert maximum economic pressure on the Iranian regime under the “Economic Fury” program, and they held “productive talks on critical minerals supply chains and the reconstruction of Ukraine,” Caliber.Az reports.

Yesterday, I met with European Commissioner for Economy and Productivity @VDombrovskis to discuss our respective fiscal and monetary policy outlooks.

I updated Commissioner Dombrovskis on actions taken by the @USTreasury to apply maximum economic force against the Iranian regime… pic.twitter.com/NlVUukadIp

— Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent (@SecScottBessent) April 16, 2026

Earlier, the US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth noted that the campaign would target the entire Iranian government.

Bessent also met with Ukraine’s Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko and highlighted US President Donald Trump’s efforts to achieve a lasting peace in Ukraine.

He noted the importance of continued economic cooperation between the United States and Ukraine.

In my meetings with Prime Minister @Svyrydenko_Y, I underscored President Trump’s efforts for a lasting peace for Ukraine and emphasized the importance of continued economic cooperation between the United States and Ukraine.

The United States-Ukraine Reconstruction Investment… pic.twitter.com/RBeVJxWyyb

— Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent (@SecScottBessent) April 16, 2026

According to the statement, the US-backed Ukraine Reconstruction Investment Fund is playing a key role in rebuilding the country, with its first investment in March described as an important step forward.

“The United States-Ukraine Reconstruction Investment Fund is at the center of Ukraine’s reconstruction efforts,” Bessent wrote.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov