(MENAFN) Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said he is ready to meet with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to discuss bilateral relations and the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, state news agency reported Sunday.

Lavrov emphasized the importance of maintaining regular dialogue between Moscow and Washington, saying it is vital for addressing both bilateral issues and matters related to the war, now in its fourth year.

“That's why we communicate by phone and are also prepared to hold in-person meetings when necessary,” Lavrov said, noting that there remain “many irritants” in relations inherited from the Biden administration.

He added that while progress has been slow, Moscow has noticed a willingness to resume dialogue under US President Donald Trump’s second term.

Lavrov confirmed that two rounds of consultations have already been held and stressed the need for discussions to cover broader topics, including the restoration of direct air services and the return of Russian diplomatic property seized by the US in 2016 under then-President Barack Obama.

“Working contacts are currently underway regarding the possibility of continuing the dialogue,” he said.

His remarks followed Kremlin denials of reports that Lavrov had fallen out of favor with President Vladimir Putin after a planned Putin-Trump summit in Budapest was canceled last month.

According to the Financial Times, Trump called off the meeting after a Lavrov-Rubio phone conversation and a Russian memo reiterating Moscow’s stance on the “root causes” of the conflict in Ukraine.

Lavrov and Rubio last spoke by phone on Oct. 20, according to report.

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