On July 23, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on the sidelines of ASEAN ministerial meetings in Manila, engaging in wide‑ranging discussions on bilateral and international issues.

The talks followed recent high‑level contacts between Moscow and Washington.

Lavrov briefed Rubio on developments along the Ukraine contact line, stressing Russia’s opposition to continued Western arms supplies to Kiev and warning against what he described as destabilising European efforts to impose a “strategic defeat” on Russia.

He reaffirmed Moscow’s readiness for a political settlement, citing proposals advanced by Washington during the Anchorage meeting between Presidents Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump.

Regional security was also on the agenda, including the situation in the Persian Gulf.

Both sides welcomed the resumption of full‑scale cooperation between Roscosmos and NASA, and voiced support for reviving interparliamentary exchanges and cultural ties.

They discussed easing conditions for the functioning of diplomatic missions in both countries.

The ministers agreed to maintain contact between their foreign policy agencies, including coordination within international organisations.

Key Issues Discussed

• Ukraine conflict and arms supplies
• Regional security in the Persian Gulf
• Bilateral cooperation in space (Roscosmos–NASA)
• Diplomatic mission operations

Agreements Reached

• Maintain contacts between foreign policy agencies
• Support for resuming interparliamentary exchanges
• Commitment to cultural ties revival

Context Box

• Meeting took place July 23 in Manila during ASEAN ministerial sessions
• Follow‑up to recent high‑level US–Russia contacts
• Anchored in proposals from Putin–Trump Anchorage meeting