Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told his counterpart, Secretary of State Marco Rubio not to keep sending weapons to Ukraine during a meeting in Manila on Thursday. This was the time the two top diplomats had met directly since September 2025. It happened as Washington has started to focus on the war in the Middle East instead of trying to help end the war in Ukraine.
What Was Discussed
A statement from the foreign ministry said Lavrov told Rubio that it was not acceptable for the United States to keep sending weapons to what Moscow called the “Kyiv regime.” The meeting, which lasted half an hour was during the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Foreign Ministers Meeting in Pasay, Metro Manila.
After the meeting Rubio said the discussion was good and open. He did not share more details. When asked about the weapons Rubio said the United States still sells weapons through the PURL initiative. He said there had been no change in policy. The PURL programme, started the year lets Ukraine get American military equipment bought by Washingtons NATO allies.
Rubio also said the United States still wants the war to end. He said this would need a solution both Russia and Ukraine could accept. He said this would take a lot of work.
Russias Position on a Diplomatic Resolution
The foreign ministry said Lavrov said Moscow was ready to find a political and diplomatic solution. The US State Department said the two diplomats talked about US-Russia relations and ending the war between Russia and Ukraine.
Context: A Shifting American Focus
The meeting between Lavrov and Rubio was the time in about ten months. It happened when Washingtons attention has been more on the war between the United States, Israel and Iran. This conflict has taken a lot of military and diplomatic attention away from the Ukraine war. The two diplomats were also expected to talk about the Middle East conflict during their meeting. Moscow has criticized attacks on its ally Iran.
Diplomatic Efforts on Ukraine
Before the Lavrov-Rubio meeting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he talked separately with U.S. Envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. He wanted to help start peace talks. On media Zelensky said the conversation was good and important. He said it was about how to get peace talks going again.
These two separate efforts, Zelenskys talks and the Lavrov-Rubio meeting show how different ways are being used to try to end the war even as the worlds attention is on the Middle East.
Trumps Position on Ukraines Drone Campaign
Donald Trump, the U.S. President has supported Ukraines long-range drone attacks on energy targets. He said these attacks could help end the war. This shows that America still supports Ukraines actions even as Washington tries to find a peaceful way to end the war.
The State of the Battlefield
Reports say Ukraine has stopped Russias attacks while increasing its own drone attacks inside Russia. These attacks have affected life in Russia as the war enters its fifth year. This battlefield situation is important for the talks in Manila. Neither side is showing signs of changing its stance even as talks continue.
Why This Meeting Matters
The meeting between Lavrov and Rubio even though short is important. It is the time in almost a year that the top diplomats from Russia and the United States have met. It happens when the world is dealing with complex security issues because of the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East. Russias objection to arms to Ukraine and the U.S. Statement on its policy through the PURL programme show that big disagreements still exist. Both sides still say they want a solution even if it is not clear yet.
What Happens Next
Both sides said they still believe in their positions during the meeting. Other diplomatic talks involving Zelensky and American envoys are also going on. People will watch to see if these efforts can help start peace talks soon. Because of problems in the Middle East it is not clear how fast or how much the U.S. Will try to help with peace in Ukraine.. Both Russia and the U.S. Still say they are open, to a deal.
