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Russia, US see grounds for financial ties, Russian finance minister says
On Monday, Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov met Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent at the G20 finance leaders conference in Asheville, North Carolina, where Siluanov claimed both countries agreed on grounds to develop financial ties.
Siluanov's first in-person G20 appearance since the invasion of Ukraine sparked friction among European officials, with the meeting centered on President Donald Trump's peace plan for the conflict.
During their bilateral discussion, Bessent reportedly told Siluanov, "Nothing is possible until the war is over," making clear no economic relief or agreements are possible until Russia's war in Ukraine ends.
Despite sanctions on Russian oil majors, Bessent previously issued licenses for seaborne Russian oil sales to ease energy supplies after the US-Israeli war against Iran disrupted the Strait of Hormuz.
Siluanov emphasized that continued dialogue is necessary, arguing "So we must always keep talking; we need to continue the dialogue" and that finding common economic ground could make resolving broader political issues easier.