US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov Meet in Manila
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met Thursday in Manila on the sidelines of an ASEAN summit to discuss the conflict in Ukraine and tensions in the Middle East.
Weapon Deliveries and the Purl Program
During the 30-minute meeting—the first between the two officials since September 2025—Sergey Lavrov focused on the transfer of military hardware to Ukraine. The Russian Foreign Ministry reported that Lavrov characterized the ongoing supply of arms to the “Kyiv regime” as unacceptable and criticized European nations for pursuing a “strategic defeat” for Russia.
Marco Rubio responded by confirming that US policy regarding arms transfers has not changed. He specifically cited the Purl program, launched last year, which facilitates the delivery of American equipment to Ukraine using European funding. This mechanism allows Kyiv to acquire Patriot interceptors, which are critical for defending against Russian ballistic missiles, according to the sources.
Diplomatic Deadlock and Territorial Demands
Despite the meeting, diplomatic efforts to end the war remain stalled. According to Russian officials, Moscow continues to demand that Kyiv cede territories as a condition for peace. While Sergey Lavrov stated that the Russian side is “ready for a political-diplomatic settlement,” the two nations remain far apart on the terms of any potential ceasefire.
The meeting occurred shortly after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met with US emissaries to “revitalize diplomacy,” according to Zelensky. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump has expressed support for Ukraine’s campaign of long-range strikes targeting energy infrastructures, declaring that it could help lead to an end of the conflict.
Escalation on the Ground and Middle East Tensions
The diplomatic talks took place against a backdrop of intensifying combat. Regional authorities reported that Russian strikes killed three people in eastern Ukraine on Thursday, while Ukrainian attacks in Russia and annexed Crimea resulted in four deaths.
The two diplomats also addressed the Middle East. According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, Moscow condemned recent strikes of Washington on its ally iran.
Summary of Current Positions
| Issue | United States Position (Rubio/Trump) | Russian Position (Lavrov/Putin) |
|---|---|---|
| Arms Supplies | Continuing via Purl program (European funding). | Deems deliveries “inadmissible.” |
| Peace Terms | Seeking a general peace agreement. | Demands cession of territories. |
| Tactics | Supports long-range strikes on energy hubs. | Accuses West of seeking “strategic defeat.” |
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