Evidence

Multiple independent outlets corroborate this claim from a G20 finance ministers meeting in Asheville, North Carolina (Aug 31-Sep 1, 2026). CNBC, Ukrainska Pravda, Meduza, The Moscow Times, and Yerepouni Daily News all reported, citing Reuters and Politico sourcing, that Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov that no economic relief or sanctions easing would happen until the Ukraine war ends. Reuters is cited as the outlet that first reported the exchange, with the specific quote attributed to Bessent being "nothing is possible until the war is over," said when Siluanov tried to raise other areas of cooperation. A U.S. Treasury undersecretary (Erin Browne) also told Politico that Bessent said 'the war needs to end.' Russia's Finance Ministry issued a separate, blander statement describing the talks as covering 'financial cooperation' without confirming the sanctions-relief framing. No dedicated fact-check article from Reuters Fact Check, AFP Fact Check, Bellingcat, or EUvsDisinfo was found addressing this specific claim, likely because it originates from straightforward news reporting (based on anonymous sourcing) rather than being a viral/disputed claim requiring debunking.