US Sets Precondition for Russia

The United States is unwilling to negotiate economic concessions or any bilateral agreements with Moscow until the war in Ukraine ends, Reuters reported, citing an informed source following talks between US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov. 

According to the source, when Siluanov attempted to raise "areas of mutual interest," Bessent intervened, stating, "Nothing is possible until the conflict ends." A US official noted on condition of anonymity that the discussions centered primarily on President Donald Trump's peace framework for Ukraine. 

The bilateral talks took place on the sidelines of the G20 meeting in Asheville, North Carolina, with discussions scheduled to continue on September 1. Russia's Finance Ministry stated that the two sides discussed financial engagement and cooperation within the G20 track. 

N.Tebrizli