Russia, US see grounds for financial ties, Russian finance minister says following G20 meeting

Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov stated that Russia and the US see grounds for developing financial ties, despite complications, following a bilateral meeting with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent at the G20 finance leaders conference in North Carolina. Siluanov, meeting Bessent for the first time, emphasized the importance of continued dialogue to find common economic ground, believing it could facilitate political discussions. He remarked, "So we must always keep talking; we need to continue the dialogue." However, a source familiar with the meeting indicated that Bessent made it clear that "Nothing is possible until the war is over," referring to Russia's war in Ukraine, and that no economic relief or agreements were possible until the conflict ends. The meeting's focus, according to a US official, was President Donald Trump's peace plan for Ukraine, while Russia's finance ministry stated they discussed financial cooperation within the G20 framework.