Rubio and Lavrov Meet in Manila to Test Ukraine Peace Hopes
The US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, met Russia’s foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov, on the sidelines of an Asean gathering in Manila for just over half an hour, though the encounter produced no breakthrough. Mr Rubio said Washington was “prepared to play a constructive role in bringing about an end to a senseless war”. Moscow said Mr Lavrov had “reaffirmed Russia’s readiness for a political and diplomatic settlement”.
It was the latest in a series of contacts between the two since 2025, and came as Washington juggles the Ukraine file alongside its escalating confrontation with Iran. Mr Rubio conceded that the central obstacle remained finding “a settlement that both sides can accept”, while Russia repeated its objection to continued Western arms supplies to Kyiv and its demand that Ukraine cede territory. The talks yielded no ceasefire and no timetable. With Ukraine’s command in upheaval after the sacking of its army chief this week, the diplomatic and military tracks remain far apart. Watch whether the contacts build towards a leaders’ meeting.