Russia’s finance minister urges cooperation with US despite geopolitical tensions

Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov has called for cooperation with the United States despite the geopolitical tensions affecting relations between the two governments. His appeal came after Washington invited him to a G20 meeting for the first time since the start of Russia’s military campaign in Ukraine.

“It is important to understand that geopolitical differences do not cancel out issues related to the economy and business. This means that solutions must be sought and relations developed wherever that serves mutual national interests,” Siluanov told the TASS news agency.

He acknowledged that the tensions have clearly affected economic and financial relations between the two governments. Describing his attendance at the meeting as a first step, he said: “It was our first meeting, it was, so to speak, an introduction.” His participation prompted protests from European countries, which came close to boycotting the gathering.

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It is important to understand that geopolitical differences do not cancel out issues related to the economy and business. This means that solutions must be sought and relations developed wherever that serves mutual national interests.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, the host of the meeting in North Carolina, received Siluanov. Bessent attributed part of the upward pressure on energy prices to Ukrainian attacks on Russian refineries, as higher oil prices threaten to fuel inflation in the United States.

The White House has taken several steps in recent weeks to revive relations with the Kremlin and restart peace negotiations over Ukraine. CIA Director John Ratcliffe traveled to Russia less than two weeks ago, and US President Donald Trump’s envoys arrived in Moscow on the day of the report to push for an early end to the conflict.

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It was our first meeting, it was, so to speak, an introduction.