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US Treasury chief reportedly meets Russian counterpart to push Trump peace plan. Kyiv was unaware, source says
The Kyiv Independent • • nation
Key Points:
- U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent met with Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov at the G20 summit to discuss a Washington-backed 28-point peace plan for Ukraine, marking Siluanov's first in-person attendance since the 2022 invasion.
- The meeting was unannounced, and Ukrainian officials stated they were unaware of it, amid ongoing challenges in reaching a peace deal due to Moscow's territorial demands and refusal to agree to a ceasefire.
- The original 28-point peace plan, seen as harsh on Ukraine, was later revised to 20 points but rejected by the Kremlin, leading to a diplomatic deadlock.
- Recently, Ukraine, the U.S., and European partners drafted a one-page plan including a ceasefire and a "free economic zone" in Donbas, which Moscow has rejected, insisting on full control of the region.
- This meeting follows other unexpected high-level U.S.-Russia contacts, including CIA Director John Ratcliffe's visit to Moscow earlier in August, with undisclosed purposes.
