Lavrov Warns Rubio Against Arms Supplies to Ukraine at Manila Summit
Russian foreign minister calls continued weapons deliveries 'unacceptable' as both sides explore renewed diplomatic track amid stalled peace talks.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov warned his US counterpart Marco Rubio on Thursday that continued arms deliveries to Ukraine were 'unacceptable', as the two top diplomats met on the sidelines of the ASEAN foreign ministers' summit in Manila. The 35-minute encounter, the first since September 2025, saw Moscow reiterate its readiness for a political settlement while condemning what it called a 'destabilising policy' by European states seeking Russia's strategic defeat.
The US State Department said the two discussed 'the need to end the Russia-Ukraine war' and the broader bilateral relationship. Mr Rubio, who had earlier acknowledged that American mediation efforts had 'fallen off a little bit over the last few months', told reporters that Washington remained open to facilitating an end to the conflict 'if that opportunity presents itself'. He stressed that the world's two largest nuclear-armed powers must maintain dialogue despite areas of disagreement.
The meeting took place against a backdrop of stalled indirect negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv, which have been overshadowed since February by the escalating military confrontation between the United States and Iran. According to diplomatic sources in Manila, the two ministers also discussed the situation in the Gulf, where a temporary ceasefire collapsed and reciprocal strikes have intensified. Mr Rubio suggested that the shifting geopolitical landscape might create 'new conditions' for reviving the Ukraine track.
Beyond the Ukraine file, the two sides agreed to continue contacts between their foreign ministries and welcomed the resumption of full cooperation between space agencies Roscosmos and NASA, as well as parliamentary and cultural exchanges. The Russian readout noted that Mr Lavrov reaffirmed Moscow's commitment to proposals tabled by Presidents Trump and Putin at their August 2025 meeting in Anchorage. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who met US envoys this week to 'reinvigorate diplomacy', is considering a visit to Washington next week for the funeral of Senator Lindsey Graham, a trip that could include talks with President Trump. No date has been set for the next round of US-Russia consultations, but both foreign ministries signalled a willingness to keep channels open.
| Continental European press | −0.15 | neutral |
|---|---|---|
| Latin American press | +0.10 | neutral |
| Arab Gulf press | −0.10 | neutral |
Diplomacy and tension coexist: the meeting produces no concrete progress on Ukraine, while Kiev warns of new Russian provocations.
By juxtaposing Lavrov's statements and Ukrainian accusations without mediation, a counterpoint effect is created that undermines the credibility of the dialogue.
The Russian side's responses to the Ukrainian accusations are not explored, nor are the details of the Alaska proposals mentioned.
The meeting shows that despite ongoing wars, US-Russia dialogue persists, focusing on potential areas of cooperation.
By framing the meeting in the context of two conflicts, the narrative universalizes the importance of diplomacy, softening bilateral tensions.
Ukrainian accusations of Russian provocations and European skepticism about real progress are left out.
The meeting confirms the continuation of the diplomatic channel, but the lack of answers on Iran and Ukraine keeps questions alive.
Presenting the meeting as an opportunity for mediation while noting unanswered questions creates a balance between optimism and skepticism.
Ukrainian accusations of Russian provocations and European skepticism are ignored.
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