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Lavrov and Rubio hold phone call Lavrov and Rubio hold phone call
(about 2 hours later)
Russia’s foreign minister and the US secretary of state agreed to maintain regular contact, including preparations for a Trump-Putin meetingRussia’s foreign minister and the US secretary of state agreed to maintain regular contact, including preparations for a Trump-Putin meeting
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio called Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Saturday. The top diplomats agreed to hold regular contacts, including coordinating preparations for a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his US counterpart Donald Trump. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Saturday. According to Moscow, the two diplomats agreed to maintain regular contact in an effort to eventually lift unilateral sanctions that have hindered “mutually beneficial” economic cooperation.
The call comes just days after Putin and Trump held their own phone conversation, marking the first known direct interaction between leaders of the two nations since the escalation of the Ukraine conflict in February 2022. Hours after that call on Wednesday, Trump told journalists at the White House that in-person talks would take place in Saudi Arabia. The call came just days after Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump held a phone conversation, marking their first known direct interaction since the escalation of the Ukraine conflict in February 2022.
Trump also spoke with Ukraine’s Vladimir Zelensky, who said he is prepared to seek an end to the conflict with Russia. According to a statement from the Russian Foreign Ministry, Lavrov and Rubio reaffirmed their commitment to restoring a “mutually respectful dialogue” and addressing “longstanding issues in Russian-American relations.”
According to a statement by the Russian Foreign Ministry, Lavrov and Rubio reaffirmed their readiness to work together on restoring mutually respectful dialogue. The top diplomats agreed to stay in regular contact, "including on preparing a Russian-American meeting at the top level.” “Their goal is to remove unilateral barriers inherited from the previous US administration that have hindered mutually beneficial trade, economic, and investment cooperation,” the ministry stated. The diplomats also discussed ways to resolve the tit-for-tat diplomatic expulsions and consulate closures of recent years.
They also undertook to arrange a meeting of relevant experts in the nearest future to find ways of resolving the tit-for-tat diplomatic expulsions and closures of each other’s consulates in recent years.   A brief readout from the US State Department noted that Rubio reiterated Trump’s dedication to resolving the conflict in Ukraine. The statement added that the two officials explored potential cooperation on “a number of other bilateral issues.”
The Russian side reported that Lavrov and Rubio discussed the Ukraine conflict and the situation in Gaza. Moscow said Lavrov and Rubio agreed to maintain regular contact, including coordinating preparations for a meeting between Putin and Trump. Hours after his call with Putin on Wednesday, Trump told reporters at the White House that an in-person meeting with the Russian leader could take place soon. Trump also spoke with Ukraine’s Vladimir Zelensky, who allegedly told him he was prepared to seek an end to the conflict with Russia.
Rubio reiterated Trump’s dedication to resolving the conflict in Ukraine, a brief readout from the US State Department said. The secretary and foreign minister explored the possibility of collaborating on various bilateral issues, it added. Senior US officials, including Rubio, National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, and Middle East Envoy Steve Witkoff, are reportedly set to travel to Saudi Arabia in the coming days to begin peace talks with Russian and Ukrainian negotiators. Major European powers are not expected to participate, Politico reported on Saturday, citing sources. Kiev has reportedly been sidelined from discussions regarding the upcoming summit.
Senior US officials, including Rubio, National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, and Middle East Envoy Steve Witkoff, will reportedly head to Saudi Arabia in the coming days to kick off peace talks involving Russian and Ukrainian negotiators. Major European powers are not expected to participate, according to Politico, citing its sources on Saturday. During his presidential campaign, Trump repeatedly vowed to end the Russia-Ukraine conflict swiftly. Since taking office last month, the Republican has taken a markedly different approach from his predecessor, Joe Biden.
During his presidential campaign, Trump repeatedly promised to swiftly end the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Since entering office last month, the Republican has taken a starkly different approach to his predecessor Joe Biden.  Trump has claimed he understands Russia’s concerns over Ukraine joining NATO and has stated that Kiev would not become part of the alliance under any settlement.
The US president claims he understands Russia’s concerns about Ukraine joining NATO and has stated that Kiev would not become part of the bloc under any settlement. Russia has repeatedly said it remains open to negotiations but insists that key issues, such as Ukraine’s NATO ambitions, must be addressed.
Russia has repeatedly said that it remains open to negotiations but has insisted that key issues, such as Ukraine’s NATO ambitions, must be resolved.