Kuala Lumpur, July 10 — Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio held a frank and wide-ranging meeting on the sidelines of the ASEAN foreign ministers’ summit, discussing bilateral issues and key global flashpoints, including Ukraine, Iran, and Syria.
According to a statement from the Russian Foreign Ministry, the two top diplomats conducted a “comprehensive alignment of positions” across the full spectrum of the U.S.–Russia agenda.
The closed-door meeting began at 13:14 Moscow time (14:14 Baku time) and lasted nearly an hour. Lavrov was the first to leave the meeting room, according to TASS.
Key Discussion Points:
Ukraine: The parties exchanged substantive views on pathways to de-escalation.
Iran and Syria: The regional dynamics and nuclear non-proliferation were part of the discussion.
Diplomatic presence: Both sides underlined the importance of restoring the full functionality of their diplomatic missions, many of which have faced restrictions in recent years.
The Foreign Ministry emphasized that Russia and the U.S. remain open to constructive, respectful dialogue through diplomatic channels. Lavrov and Rubio reaffirmed interest in restoring direct communication, including the potential resumption of direct air travel between the two countries as a confidence-building measure.
While few concrete outcomes were announced, the meeting is seen as a rare sign of engagement amid a period of heightened geopolitical tension.
