Russia’s Lavrov, US Secretary of State Rubio reaffirm resolve for Ukraine peace
Both sides cite Alaska summit understandings, stress need to normalize bilateral ties
ISTANBUL
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday reaffirmed their resolve to find a peaceful solution to the Ukraine war during talks in New York on the sidelines of the 80th session of the UN General Assembly.
The meeting, held behind closed doors, lasted more than 50 minutes and concluded without opening remarks for the press, according to TASS news agency.
The Russian Foreign Ministry said the two diplomats “exchanged views on resolving the Ukrainian crisis, building on the understandings reached during the Russian-American summit in Anchorage,” and confirmed their interest in a peaceful settlement.
Lavrov emphasized Moscow’s readiness to adhere to understanding developed by Russian and US leaders in Alaska, including coordinating efforts to address the root causes of the conflict.
He stressed the “unacceptability of the schemes promoted by Kyiv and some European capitals aimed at prolonging the conflict.”
The ministry said the two also reviewed the broader bilateral agenda, including the importance of restoring socio-political contacts and intensifying efforts to normalize diplomatic missions.
A brief US State Department readout said Rubio “reiterated President [Donald] Trump’s call for the killing to stop and the need for Moscow to take meaningful steps toward a durable resolution of the Russia-Ukraine war.”
On Tuesday, Rubio told a UN Security Council meeting on Ukraine that Washington’s patience with Russia is not “infinite,” warning that further costs would be imposed if efforts for a peaceful resolution fail.
Trump, in a significant policy shift, said Ukraine is now positioned to reclaim all of its occupied territory, citing Russia’s economic difficulties and calling it a “paper tiger.”
Lavrov and Rubio previously met in July on the sidelines of ASEAN ministerial events in Kuala Lumpur and also participated in a restricted negotiating format at the Aug. 15 Alaska summit between Trump and Vladimir Putin.
*Rabia Iclal Turan contributed to the story from Washington, DC
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