US State Secretary, Russian FM discuss Ukraine, Iran over phone call
Washington, May 26
In a major diplomatic development, amid a volatile situation in the Middle East, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and discussed the Russia-Ukraine war, bilateral relations, and the situation in Iran.
The call took place at Lavrov's request, the State Department said. Rubio is currently on a four-day trip to India. He is scheduled to attend the QUAD meeting in New Delhi, along with his counterparts from India, Japan and Australia being hosted by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar.
"Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke today with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov at the Minister's request," State Department Spokesperson Tommy Pigott said in a readout of the call.
"The parties exchanged views on the Russia-Ukraine war, bilateral relations, and the situation in Iran," the statement added.
The brief exchange also signals that communication channels between Washington and Moscow remain open despite deep strains in relations following the war in Ukraine.
Rubio, who serves as Secretary of State in the Trump administration, has been actively engaged in diplomatic outreach on several international crises in recent weeks. The latest conversation with Lavrov comes amid renewed global efforts to assess the trajectory of the Ukraine conflict and wider security concerns in Europe and the Middle East.
The State Department readout did not indicate whether the two sides discussed sanctions, military assistance, ceasefire proposals or possible negotiations related to Ukraine or Iran.
The Trump administration has repeatedly said it wants to end the Russia-Ukraine war through negotiations, while also maintaining pressure on Iran over its regional posture and nuclear programme.
The Ukraine conflict, which began in February 2022 has reshaped global security dynamics. The conflict has also had significant economic consequences worldwide, including disruptions in energy and food markets.
— IANS
Reader Comments
While the US and Russia talk, India is hosting the QUAD meeting. It's a delicate balancing act for us, especially with Iran and Ukraine both in focus. The economic spillover from this war has hit India hard—fuel prices and trade disruptions are real concerns for everyday Indians.
Honestly, the Trump administration's approach on Ukraine has been unclear. Wanting to negotiate while maintaining pressure on Iran feels contradictory. Hope Jaishankar can steer India's stance wisely—we need energy security from the Gulf AND good relations with Russia.
The key here is that communication channels remain open. That's crucial for global stability. India has shown it can talk to both sides—a model the world should follow. But I'm concerned about what 'maintaining pressure on Iran' means for regional peace.
Rubio talks to Lavrov while sitting in New Delhi for QUAD. That's some serious globe-trotting diplomacy! But the readout is too vague—no specifics on sanctions or ceasefire. We need concrete steps, not just phone calls. The world can't afford more uncertainty in energy markets.
It's good that the US and Russia are still talking—diplomacy is better than escalation. However, India must not be seen as choosing sides. We've maintained a principled position since 2022: calling for peace while securing our national interests. Let's hope the QUAD meeting reinforces that posture.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.