Key Takeaways
- Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will meet US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Thursday in Manila.
- The talks are expected to focus on the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East.
- US-led talks on ending the war in Ukraine have stalled, with Russia sticking to its demands for territorial concessions.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has announced that he will meet US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Manila on Thursday. The meeting is set to take place during an ASEAN gathering of Southeast Asian foreign ministers in the Philippine capital, where Lavrov stated it would be useful for both parties to ask questions and seek answers.
Lavrov told reporters on Wednesday that the talks will focus on ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East. He emphasized the importance of dialogue between Russia and the United States, stating, 'The meeting will be useful in any case. It’s good to ask questions and get answers.'
During a brief conversation at a gala dinner, Rubio confirmed his intention to discuss the war in Ukraine with Lavrov during their Thursday meeting. Rubio highlighted that the conflict has impeded cooperation between Russia and the United States on other issues, but expressed willingness to find areas of potential collaboration.
US President Donald Trump has backed a Ukrainian campaign of long-range counter-strikes against Russian energy facilities as an escalation strategy aimed at ending the war in Ukraine. These strikes have reportedly caused fuel shortages across Russia, one of the world’s top oil producers.
Rubio added that while the US remains open to constructive roles in resolving the conflict, it will continue to raise concerns about the ongoing war in Ukraine. He stated, 'The war in Ukraine has in many ways impeded the ability of Russia and the United States to find areas of agreement on other topics. That doesn’t mean we won’t seek to find other areas of potential cooperation.'
Lavrov also addressed US-led strikes against Iran, stating that Moscow condemned Washington’s actions as they impact their key ally. He noted, 'Moscow has condemned Washington’s fresh strikes on its key ally Iran,' highlighting the tension between the two nations.
The meeting is seen as a potential step towards easing tensions and finding common ground between Russia and the United States in various regional conflicts, particularly in Ukraine and the Middle East.
The meeting will be useful in any case. It’s good to ask questions and get answers.
Sergei Lavrov, Russian Foreign Minister
The war in Ukraine has in many ways impeded the ability of Russia and the United States to find areas of agreement on other topics. That doesn’t mean we won’t seek to find other areas of potential cooperation.
Marco Rubio, US Secretary of State
