A brief Manila meeting signaled a rare direct exchange between Washington and Moscow. New ideas, not quick fixes, will determine progress.
The United States expressed willingness to help end the Russia-Ukraine war, but new proposals are needed for this, said U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio after a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Manila on July 23.
After the meeting, Rubio noted that the dialogue was constructive and frank, but the details of the talks were not disclosed, and Washington conveyed to Moscow the United States’ position on its role in seeking to end the war.
According to him, the conversation was not a breakthrough: one should not expect a resolution to the conflict in half an hour. The further development of events depends on both sides and their incentives to stop the fighting, with the main obstacle being mutually acceptable terms.
New proposals and dialogue
Rubio emphasized that previous initiatives did not have the expected effect because Kyiv did not accept them. Fresh ideas and concepts are needed, he noted, and the United States is ready to contribute its proposals as long as there are appropriate opportunities and conditions.
Negotiations with Sergey Lavrov were good and candid.
– Marco Rubio
At the same time, he noted that Russia is striking deep in the rear and losing thousands of soldiers weekly, while Ukraine also bears a high cost due to civilian deaths and missile strikes on Kyiv.
You think we settled the war in Ukraine in our 30 minutes here in Asia? That’s not how it works.
– Marco Rubio
According to him, the final peace settlement will likely require “new ideas and some concepts.” The United States is ready to offer them as appropriate conditions and opportunities arise.
Rubio also dismissed the claim of possible pressure from Russia regarding weapon supplies: Washington continues to sell weapons through NATO and at the same time pursues diplomacy aimed at ending the war.
He added that American officials support frequent contacts with Kyiv and meet with Ukrainian representatives more often than with Russian ones; separately he noted that during talks with China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi, the topic of the war was not touched upon due to the large number of other topics on the agenda.
As for Iran, Rubio expressed doubts about Tehran’s willingness to strike a long-term nuclear deal, emphasizing that Iran has repeatedly pursued agreements but has a history of violations. The United States does not aim to change the regime in Iran; the main goal is denuclearization and preventing a nuclear weapon.
The United States seeks a denuclearized Iran that will never have nuclear weapons.
– Marco Rubio
In the Philippines on July 23, within the ASEAN meetings, Marco Rubio held talks with Sergey Lavrov; a State Department spokesperson confirmed the meeting and noted that the sides discussed U.S.-Russia relations and the need to end the war between Russia and Ukraine.
In sum, the secretary of state stressed that the United States will continue to pursue diplomacy and consider new initiatives under favorable conditions to stop the wars and reduce the risk of new escalation.