By David Lawder
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The top Senate Finance Committee Democrat pressed U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Friday to commit to enforcing Ukraine-related sanctions against Russia and to clarify comments about Russia rejoining an international bank payments network.
In a letter to Bessent, Senator Ron Wyden also sought answers on how the U.S.-Ukraine critical minerals deal and investment agreement would help improve Ukraine’s post-war security and not benefit any entity or country that aided Russia’s war effort.
Wyden cited Bessent’s comments during his confirmation hearing that he was prepared to strengthen Russian sanctions, including on oil majors, if Trump requested this to help end the Ukraine war, which Bessent called “one of the greatest tragedies of my adult life.”
“I ask that you reaffirm your commitment to stringently enforce these sanctions and answer questions about how you envision other measures pursued by this administration, including agreements with Ukraine, potentially working in conjunction with these sanctions,” Wyden wrote.
The Oregon Democrat, who has opposed most of Trump’s trade and tax agenda advanced by Bessent, asked the Treasury chief to explain comments he made to Fox News Channel in which he did not rule out bringing Russia back into the SWIFT international banking network. Russia was expelled from the payments messaging system after its invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
“Would Treasury allow Russian banks to rejoin SWIFT absent a comprehensive peace agreement with Ukraine that fully addresses Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine?” Wyden asked in a series of questions for Bessent to answer.
Wyden also asked whether Bessent would continue the U.S. Treasury’s implementation of commitments by G7 leaders to curtail Russia’s use of the international financial system to support its war against Ukraine.
A Treasury spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Wyden’s letter.
(Reporting by David Lawder; Editing by Sam Holmes)
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