While the war between Russia and Ukraine is raging, the diplomatic work of the US Donald J. Trump administration doesn’t stop.
While talks between the two camps on rebuilding diplomatic and commercial ties have been frozen, ongoing contact continues between the US State Department and the Russian Foreign Ministry.
On Thursday, Secretary Marco Rubio and Russian Minister Sergey Lavrov met on the sidelines of the ASEAN summit in Malaysia. This was their second encounter since Rubio took office, although they have spoken by phone several times.
Watch: Rubio and Lavrov in a friendly atmosphere, shake hands in the sidelines of ASEAN.
NEW:
While the US has been sending huge amounts of weapons to Ukraine for three years, which have killed a huge number of Russians, Russian foreign minister Lavrov in a friendly atmosphere shakes hands with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. pic.twitter.com/S332oLxBhz
— Megatron (@Megatron_ron) July 11, 2025
❗️ Russian FM Lavrov and US State Secretary Rubio meet in Kuala Lumpur pic.twitter.com/t7mGG9LmtS
— RT (@RT_com) July 10, 2025
While Rubio expressed disappointment over the ‘lack of substantial progress’ on the peace process in Ukraine, he called the ‘frank’ talks productive.
The US received new, previously undisclosed proposals from Russia regarding the settlement of the conflict, and discussed potential ideas for a ‘roadmap’ to end the Ukrainian conflict.
Africanews reported:
“’I echoed what the (US) president (Donald J. Trump) said, both a disappointment and frustration at the lack of progress’, Rubio told reporters following talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. ‘We need to see a roadmap moving forward about how this (war) can conclude. And then we shared some ideas about what that might look like’, he said after the 50-minute meeting.”
Rubio said the Russian side presented a ‘new and different approach’ on how to end its war, now well into its fourth year.
“’I wouldn’t characterize it as something that guarantees peace, but it’s a concept that, you know, that I’ll take back to the president. […] We’re going to continue to stay involved where we see opportunities to make a difference’.”
The talks were held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on the sidelines of the annual Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) forum including Russia, China, Japan, South Korea, European nations and the US.
“Their first meeting took place in February in the Saudi Arabian capital Riyadh, as the Trump administration sought to test Russia and Ukraine on their willingness to make peace.
Thursday’s meeting took place shortly after the US resumed some shipments of defensive weapons to Ukraine, following a pause that was ostensibly for the Pentagon to review domestic munitions stocks, which was welcomed in Moscow.”
Watch: Rubio comments on the meeting.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio works almost as hard as President Trump traveling constantly to negotiate an end to the Russia and Ukraine war. He met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on the sidelines of the ASEAN foreign ministers’ meeting in Malaysia on Thursday,… pic.twitter.com/Yf8I3c2QZA
— Victoria ⏳ (@Loveof1776) July 11, 2025
Watch: Lavrov says to ‘expect big surprises’.
“That’s what I’ll tell you”
Sergey Lavrov about the new plan for Ukraine.
“Expect big surprises,”
▪️ Commenting on US Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s statements about a possible new plan for Ukraine, responded with Donald Trump’s phrase: “Expect big surprises.”
▪️ According… pic.twitter.com/gicPcNABsI
— Isabella Liberman (@BellaVLiberman) July 11, 2025
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