According to RT, on July 23 local time, Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov met with U.S. Secretary of State Rubio during the ASEAN conference in Manila, Philippines. The meeting lasted about 35 minutes, marking the first face-to-face discussion between the two officials since September 2025.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Zharinova said after the meeting that the talks focused on bilateral relations and major international issues. Zharinova said Lavrov warned the US not to continue supplying weapons to Kiev, and also accused European countries of pursuing destructive policies, attempting to cause Russia a 'strategic failure'.
She revealed that Lavrov reiterated that Moscow is ready to resolve the conflict through diplomatic means.
According to reports, after the meeting, Rubio spoke with reporters, describing the conversation as “friendly and honest.” He stated that the United States is still ready to “play a constructive role in ending this meaningless war.”
He stated that any final solution requires “a completely new approach and concept”. He also added that Washington is still willing to propose new solutions and play a constructive role when the conditions are ripe.
Meanwhile, the Kremlin has reminded the public not to overinterpret this meeting. Russian President’s press secretary Peskov said that ongoing contacts are ‘positive’, but there is no ‘new impetus’ yet, and the negotiation process has not been accelerated.
He added that Moscow continues to maintain dialogue with Washington through existing channels. It is hoped that once the US negotiators are able to travel, both parties will be able to continue face-to-face consultations in the Russian capital.
