The US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, and Russia‘s Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov, have held crucial talks on the ongoing conflict in Ukraine at the ASEAN foreign ministers’ meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. This meeting marks a rare moment of direct engagement between Washington and Moscow, despite strained bilateral relations.
According to Rubio, the two sides discussed a possible “new and different approach” to reviving peace efforts over Ukraine. However, he emphasized that this concept does not guarantee peace but is rather an idea he will take back to the president. “I wouldn’t characterise it as something that guarantees peace,” Rubio said, “but it’s a concept that I’ll take back to the president.”
Lavrov outlined the Kremlin’s position on settling the war, stating, “We discussed Ukraine. We confirmed the position that President [Vladimir] Putin had outlined, including in his July 3 conversation with President [Donald] Trump.” The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs described the diplomats’ exchange as “substantive and frank,” covering Ukraine, Iran, Syria, and broader global issues.
Despite the tensions, both Moscow and Washington seem to be leaving the door open for further dialogue. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov downplayed suggestions that ties were deteriorating, saying, “I do not agree that the positive trend in relations between Moscow and Washington is fading.” He added that the current US administration acts in a “zigzag manner,” but Moscow doesn’t dramatize this.
Meanwhile, the conflict in Ukraine continues to escalate, with Russia launching its largest drone offensive yet, deploying nearly 500 drones against Ukraine. This surge in aerial attacks challenges recent ceasefire efforts and signals a new phase in drone warfare.
In a separate development, gunmen in Pakistan’s restive southwestern Balochistan province kidnapped and killed nine bus passengers, officials said. The passengers were taken from several buses on Thursday evening, and their bodies were found in the mountains overnight, riddled with bullet wounds. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned the killings, stating, “The blood of innocent people will be avenged. The killing of innocent citizens is an open act of terrorism by India-sponsored terrorists.”
In other news, US President Donald Trump has been engaging in diplomatic efforts with African leaders, including Liberian President Joseph Boakai, whom he asked where he learned English, sparking confusion and anger among Liberians.
The US and Russia are engaging in high-level talks to address the Ukraine crisis and strengthen bilateral relations. Secretary Rubio and Foreign Minister Lavrov discussed potential new strategies to open pathways for dialogue, emphasizing the urgent need for a structured peace process. “What we need now is a clear roadmap to conclude this conflict,” Rubio stressed.
The Kremlin has urged the US to maintain diplomatic efforts aimed at resolving the conflict in Ukraine. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov acknowledged the complexities involved in achieving a peaceful settlement, expressing hope that Trump and his team would continue their efforts to elevate the Ukrainian settlement process to a political and diplomatic level.
As the conflict persists, international leaders and organizations remain focused on finding a sustainable resolution that addresses the concerns of all parties involved. The outcome of these discussions could reshape the geopolitical landscape, with ramifications for the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and the broader relationship between the West and Moscow.