Ukraine war briefing: Pressure stays on Russian economy until war is over, says Bessent

What Happened

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent informed Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov at a G20 meeting in Asheville that no economic agreements are possible until the war in Ukraine ends. Simultaneously, Russian forces conducted a series of air strikes across Ukraine, killing four people and injuring over a dozen in Kyiv and Boryspil. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported that Russia launched 800 jet-powered drones into Ukraine over four days, prompting Ukrainian engineers to accelerate the development of interceptor drones. Additionally, drone strikes were reported in the Moscow, Samara, and Ekaterinburg regions of Russia, while Polish prosecutors are investigating a deliberate fire at the WB Electronics drone factory as an act of foreign-sponsored terrorism.

Key Actors

Why It Matters

The diplomatic exchange at the G20 underscores the hardening of Western economic policy toward Russia, while the intensified drone warfare on both sides highlights a rapid technological shift in the conflict. The targeting of critical infrastructure and industrial sites, such as the WB Electronics factory in Poland and oil refineries in Russia, indicates an expansion of the conflict's scope beyond the immediate front lines.

Watch For

Monitor the potential impact of the UK's increased sanctions penalties on Russian financial networks and the progress of the US envoys' planned visit to Ukraine. Additionally, observe the effectiveness of the newly developed Ukrainian interceptor drones against the increased volume of Russian jet-powered drone strikes.