Russia’s Foreign Minister Engages with US Secretary of State
On Thursday morning, Russia’s foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov, had a brief conversation with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in the Philippines. Moscow labeled the continued sale of arms by the US to European allies—who are then supplying these weapons to Ukraine—as “unacceptable.”
Rubio was attending the East Asia Foreign Ministers’ Conference in Manila, where he held a bilateral meeting with Lavrov. It’s notable that Lavrov has been a key figure in Russian politics since the Soviet era, having served as foreign minister since 2004.
Following the meeting, Rubio stated they discussed “U.S.-Russian relations and the necessity to conclude the Russia-Ukraine war.” This aligns with the usual rhetoric you’d expect from such discussions. Interestingly, Russian officials brought up the much-discussed 2025 Trump-Alaska summit but also expressed concerns over US arms exports.
Although the United States ceased direct arms supplies to Ukraine due to taxpayer costs, it continues selling them to European allies, who are then able to donate these materials back home. Lavrov emphasized the unacceptability of increasing the flow of weapons into Ukraine, as reported by Russian state media, which further accused European nations of attempting to bring defeat upon Russia.
In addressing Ukraine-related matters, Lavrov provided insights into the situation along the contact line, reiterating that it is inappropriate to inundate the Ukrainian regime with more weaponry. He criticized the broader destructive policies of European nations that seek to deliver a “strategic defeat” to Russia.
Russian state media also reported on comments from Grigory Karasin, who heads the International Affairs Committee of the Federation Council. He remarked on the “destructive role” Europe plays in the conflict, characterizing it as excessively invested in militarism.
Dmitry Peskov, spokesperson for President Vladimir Putin, also indicated that European nations are extending Russia’s conflict, while claiming that Russia is still open to negotiations. He remarked, “We want peace, but as long as the Kiev regime is backed by European powers to continue the war, we will persist with our military operations.”
Earlier in the summit, Rubio shifted focus to U.S.-China relations, assuring longstanding allies in the region that any warming of ties with Beijing would not undermine their interests. He noted, “We have to prioritize building a relationship with China, but it must not come at the cost of our partners or our presence in this region.”
