Top US and Russian diplomats discussed the Ukraine war on Thursday during the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit in Manila.
The meeting occurred as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced talks with US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to revive stalled peace negotiations. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio hosted Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov though both declined to speak to the press during the sit-down.
According to the US State Department the two officials discussed bilateral relations and the need to end the Ukraine conflict. They were also expected to address the Middle East following Moscow's condemnation of US strikes on Iran.
On Wednesday Rubio noted that the Ukraine war has hindered US-Russia agreements on other issues though both nations still seek potential cooperation. Lavrov also indicated that the meeting would be useful to "ask questions and get answers". Prior to the sit-down Rubio and Lavrov spoke briefly at a gala dinner on Tuesday and attended the ASEAN Regional Forum on Thursday morning.
Peace discussions remain stalled as US attention is drawn to the Middle East, and Moscow insists Kyiv must cede territory.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump recently expressed support for Ukraine's long-range drone strikes on Russian energy infrastructure arguing it could help end the conflict. These strikes on Russian refineries, oil depots and ships have caused fuel shortages in Russia. In late June, a massive Russian missile and drone barrage killed at least 30 people in Kyiv.
