Lavrov wants to meet with Rubio. “Russia's interests must be taken into account”

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Sunday that he was ready to meet US Secretary of State Mark Rubio, but emphasized that Russia's interests must be taken into account in striving for peace in Ukraine.

On Friday, the Kremlin denied speculation that Lavrov had fallen out of favor with Vladimir Putin due to the suspension of plans for a meeting between the Russian leader and US President Donald Trump. According to Western media, including the British daily Financial Times, the summit was canceled after a note sent by Lavrov in which he maintained Russia's tough position on Ukraine.

– Secretary of State Marco Rubio and I understand the need for regular communication. This is important for discussing the Ukrainian issue and promoting the bilateral agenda. That's why we communicate by phone and are ready to meet face to face when necessary, Lavrov told Russian state news agency RIA Novosti.

However, he noted that in striving for peace in Ukraine, Russia's interests must be taken into account, and Russia's territorial integrity and the results of the 2014 and 2022 referenda are beyond dispute.

The “referendums” he mentioned concerned the inclusion of the illegally occupied Crimea and the partially occupied Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporozhye and Kherson oblasts into the Russian Federation.

Lavrov also said that the US has informed Russia through diplomatic channels that it is considering Putin's proposal to maintain restrictions set out in the New START strategic arms reduction treaty after its February 2026 expiration date. – So far we have not received any specific response from Washington. We were informed through diplomatic channels that “this issue is being considered,” he explained.

A few weeks ago, Putin said that Russia is ready to continue to abide by the treaty's restrictions for a year after its expiration, provided that the United States does the same. (PAP)

bjn/ mal/