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Lavrov, Rubio talk about ‘next steps’ in mending Russia-US relations
(MENAFN) US Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Saturday as both nations work toward restoring diplomatic ties and advancing talks on a ceasefire in Ukraine.
According to a statement from the US State Department, the discussion focused on reestablishing direct communication between Washington and Moscow. "Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke today with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. [They] discussed next steps to follow up on recent meetings in Saudi Arabia and agreed to continue working towards restoring communication between the United States and Russia,” the statement read.
The phone call followed high-level negotiations in Saudi Arabia on February 18, where both sides agreed to form teams dedicated to resolving the Ukraine conflict, reopening embassy operations, and addressing other points of tension. Subsequent discussions in Istanbul have also covered diplomatic funding and a Russian proposal to reinstate direct flights between the two nations.
During the call, Rubio also updated Lavrov on recent US military strikes against Houthi militants in Yemen. He emphasized that Washington would not tolerate continued attacks by the Houthis in the Red Sea. President Donald Trump confirmed the military action on Truth Social, citing the group's persistent acts of piracy, violence, and terrorism against American and allied assets.
Further details of the US-Russia conversation were not disclosed. However, following talks between US and Russian officials in Saudi Arabia on March 11, Ukraine agreed to a 30-day ceasefire. Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, traveled to Moscow on Thursday to present Russian President Vladimir Putin with the details of the agreement.
Putin has expressed general support for the ceasefire but insists on resolving several outstanding issues before implementation, including the situation of Ukrainian forces currently surrounded in Russia’s Kursk Region. While the specifics of Witkoff’s meeting with Putin remain undisclosed, Trump hinted at progress, stating that the White House had received “some pretty good news” regarding the ceasefire efforts and that recent US-Russia discussions had been “very productive.”
According to a statement from the US State Department, the discussion focused on reestablishing direct communication between Washington and Moscow. "Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke today with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. [They] discussed next steps to follow up on recent meetings in Saudi Arabia and agreed to continue working towards restoring communication between the United States and Russia,” the statement read.
The phone call followed high-level negotiations in Saudi Arabia on February 18, where both sides agreed to form teams dedicated to resolving the Ukraine conflict, reopening embassy operations, and addressing other points of tension. Subsequent discussions in Istanbul have also covered diplomatic funding and a Russian proposal to reinstate direct flights between the two nations.
During the call, Rubio also updated Lavrov on recent US military strikes against Houthi militants in Yemen. He emphasized that Washington would not tolerate continued attacks by the Houthis in the Red Sea. President Donald Trump confirmed the military action on Truth Social, citing the group's persistent acts of piracy, violence, and terrorism against American and allied assets.
Further details of the US-Russia conversation were not disclosed. However, following talks between US and Russian officials in Saudi Arabia on March 11, Ukraine agreed to a 30-day ceasefire. Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, traveled to Moscow on Thursday to present Russian President Vladimir Putin with the details of the agreement.
Putin has expressed general support for the ceasefire but insists on resolving several outstanding issues before implementation, including the situation of Ukrainian forces currently surrounded in Russia’s Kursk Region. While the specifics of Witkoff’s meeting with Putin remain undisclosed, Trump hinted at progress, stating that the White House had received “some pretty good news” regarding the ceasefire efforts and that recent US-Russia discussions had been “very productive.”
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