US President Donald Trump's administration is reportedly increasing contact with Moscow, as evidenced by CIA Director John Ratcliffe's visit to Moscow last week for talks with Russian intelligence officials. Additionally, Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov made a surprise appearance at a G20 meeting hosted by the US on Monday.

Trump described Ratcliffe's visit as 'semiroutine' and linked it to efforts to end the war in Ukraine. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent met Siluanov on the sidelines of the G20 meeting, making clear there would be no financial agreements or economic relief for Russia until the war ends. Analysts, however, expressed alarm, suggesting that treating Russia as a partner rather than an adversary could embolden Moscow against NATO members and other countries under direct threat.