Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio engaged in critical discussions on the war in Ukraine during the ASEAN foreign ministers’ meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, as reported by Russia’s state-run TASS agency.
Their recent talks followed an earlier 50-minute meeting that took place the day before, highlighting a significant moment of diplomatic dialogue amid strained U.S.-Russia relations.
While details from their latest exchange remain undisclosed, Rubio expressed to reporters the importance of exploring a potential ‘new and different approach’ to peace efforts concerning Ukraine, acknowledging that such a concept does not guarantee peace but serves as a starting point for further discussions back in Washington with President Donald Trump.
Lavrov reiterated Russia’s stance on resolving the conflict, underscoring the Kremlin’s position as outlined by President Vladimir Putin previously.
During the ASEAN gathering, he confirmed that discussions about Ukraine occurred, stating that he conveyed the ideas presented in Putin’s July 3 conversation with President Donald Trump.
The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs described the exchanges as ‘substantive and frank,’ covering not only Ukraine but also topics such as Iran, Syria, and broader global issues.
This dialogue marks a rare instance of direct engagement between the two nations, signaling a potential thaw in bilateral relations despite ongoing tensions.
However, Russian officials took a more optimistic view of the relationship, with Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov emphasizing that the supposed decline in U.S.-Russia relations was overstated.
Ryabkov remarked on the ‘zigzag’ nature of U.S. governmental actions and stated that there is no reason to overdramatize the situation.
Looking forward, he noted the potential for renewed talks on various unresolved bilateral issues, possibly occurring before the summer concludes.
Despite these hopeful signals, both parties are proceeding with caution.
Rubio acknowledged the importance of engaging in dialogue, stating, ‘We are talking, and that is a start,’ while also emphasizing that future developments would significantly impact the outcome of these discussions.
In addition to his meetings with Lavrov, Rubio also met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on his first official trip to Asia since taking office.
He described his discussions with the Chinese diplomat as ‘very constructive,’ despite acknowledging persisting disagreements between the two countries.
Rubio also commented on the likelihood of a meeting between President Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping, indicating such a gathering is ‘highly probable’ while noting that no date had been established as of yet.
In a statement following their meeting, China’s foreign ministry reported that both sides committed to managing differences while expanding areas of cooperation.
Wang expressed Beijing’s hopes for the U.S. to adopt ‘an objective, rational, and pragmatic attitude’ towards China and suggested that Washington should design its policies to promote peaceful coexistence.
Rubio’s participation in the East Asia Summit and ASEAN Regional Forum—gathering key global players including Japan, China, Russia, Australia, India, and the European Union—indicates a renewed focus by the U.S. on Asian diplomacy.
This diplomatic push comes against the backdrop of deteriorating U.S.-China trade relations, with China warning the U.S. against reintroducing sweeping tariffs in the coming month after previously engaging in a tit-for-tat trade conflict that resulted in tariffs exceeding 100 percent.
China also cautioned against retaliation towards nations that support excluding it from critical global supply chains.
Rubio’s visit highlights the complexities surrounding trade dynamics, especially regarding the U.S.’s upcoming tariff strategy that will impact eight ASEAN nations, including Malaysia, Japan, and South Korea, beginning on August 1.
Although the U.S. portrays these tariffs as part of a strategy to ‘rebalance trade,’ critics argue that such actions could undermine the alliances that the U.S. is striving to strengthen within the region.
In response to the escalating global tensions, ASEAN foreign ministers expressed their concerns, emphasizing the need for a predictable, transparent, inclusive, and sustainable multilateral trading system through a joint communique.
They reaffirmed a commitment to work constructively with all partners to address these challenges.
image source from：aljazeera
