Ukraine war pressure on Russian economy will continue, says Bessent

The US treasury secretary spoke to Russia's finance minister. India's leader says the war must stop. This is what we know.

Published 1 September 2026 118 words
WORLD A1
Ukraine war pressure on Russian economy will continue, says Bessent

The US treasury secretary, Scott Bessent, told Russia's finance minister that Russia's economy will not get help until the war in Ukraine stops. Bessent met Anton Siluanov at a G20 meeting. Russia's presence at the meeting surprised and upset some European officials.

European countries are planning more rules against Russia. Britain has made penalties for breaking rules twice as big. The UK government said this will put more pressure on money systems that help Russia's war.

Russia attacked Ukraine's capital, Kyiv, and other areas. Four people were killed and many others were hurt. Russia also attacked Odesa. Ukraine is using new drones. These drones are faster than older ones.

Nato fighter planes were sent up near Latvia's border with Russia. Ukraine has also sent drones that hit targets in Russia, including oil refineries.

India's prime minister, Narendra Modi, told Russia's president, Vladimir Putin, that the war must end for the sake of humanity. India buys a lot of Russian oil. Indonesia is checking if any of its citizens have joined the Russian army to fight in Ukraine.

Vocabulary

economy — all the money and business in a country.
pressure — trying hard to make someone do something or to make something happen.
sanctions — rules that stop trade with a country because of something bad it has done.
attacked — used force to hurt someone or something.
drones — small flying machines, sometimes used by the army.

Discussion Questions

  1. Who told Russia that their economy will not get help until the war ends?
  2. What happened in Kyiv and Odesa?
  3. What did India's prime minister say about the war?

Based on an article from The Guardian.

Read the original article