US Treasury chief Bessent meets Russian finance minister at G20 talks in Asheville
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent met Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov on the sidelines of the G20 finance ministers meeting in Asheville, North Carolina, in the first in-person US-Russia financial talks since Moscow's 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
(Advertisement)
First In-Person Meeting Since Ukraine Invasion
US Treasury Secretary @SecScottBessent held a bilateral meeting with Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov on Monday on the sidelines of the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors gathering in Asheville, North Carolina. It marks the first time Siluanov has travelled to a G20 meeting in person since President Vladimir Putin invaded Ukraine in 2022.
The direct meeting, confirmed by the Treasury Department, was the most significant face-to-face financial contact between Washington and Moscow since the Ukraine war entered its current phase. The two officials discussed bilateral financial cooperation and cooperation within the G20, according to the Russian government statement. However, the two sides offered differing accounts of the agenda: a US Treasury spokesperson said the meeting focused on President Trump's push for a Russia-Ukraine peace deal, while Moscow emphasised the financial and G20 cooperation dimension.
Ukraine Peace Plan Takes Centre Stage
Bessent described the conversation as covering Trump's peace framework for Ukraine, though neither the Treasury Department nor the Russian Finance Ministry provided details about the substance of what was discussed or whether any concrete proposals were exchanged.
The meeting came just a week after CIA Director John Ratcliffe met with Russian intelligence officials in Moscow. An Axios report said that Ratcliffe floated a trilateral meeting between President Trump, Russian President Putin, and Ukrainian President Zelensky in an effort to end the war.
The United States holds the G20 presidency this year, with the Asheville finance ministers meeting running August 31 to September 1. The host year will culminate with a Leaders' Summit on December 14 to 15 at Trump National Doral in Miami, Florida. A representative of the US Treasury Department added that Bessent plans to hold at least 11 bilateral meetings during the week.
Bloomberg: Bessent Meets Russia's Siluanov at G20 in Rare US-Russia Finance Talks | US Treasury: 2026 G20 Finance Track Agenda and Asheville Meeting | CNBC: G20 Finance Meeting Live Updates
(Advertisement)
Latest News
Read More...
Author
Crypto RichRich has been researching cryptocurrency and blockchain technology for eight years and has served as a senior analyst at BSCN since its founding in 2020. He focuses on fundamental analysis of early-stage crypto projects and tokens and has published in-depth research reports on over 200 emerging protocols. Rich also writes about broader technology and scientific trends and maintains active involvement in the crypto community through X/Twitter Spaces, and leading industry events.