日本語
한국어
Polski
Deutsch
Nederlands
Español
Français
Português
Italiano
Svenska
// DOSSIER — rubio-lavrov-manila-talks-us-arms-ukraine
Rubio and Lavrov Hold High-Level Talks in Manila Amid Warnings Over US Arms Sales to Ukraine
REL_TIME: 24 Jul 2026 13:27Z · LANG: EN
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov met on July 23, 2026, in Manila on the sidelines of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting for their first formal bilateral sit-down since September 2025. During the half-hour meeting, Lavrov warned Washington that continued weapon deliveries to Ukraine are unacceptable and condemned European efforts to inflict a strategic defeat on Russia. Rubio characterized the conversation as frank, noting that US arms sales executed through the PURL initiative remain unchanged and that Washington seeks a peace deal acceptable to both nations while balancing diplomatic efforts against escalating conflict in the Middle East.
// Background
Diplomatic engagement between Washington and Moscow has slowed as the war in Ukraine enters its fifth year and US attention shifts toward the expanding conflict in the Middle East, including US strikes against Iran. Meanwhile, Ukraine has increasingly used long-range drone strikes on Russian energy infrastructure to stall ground offensives, while Russia has intensified missile strikes on Ukrainian air defenses.
// Key Developments
- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov warned US Secretary of State Marco Rubio that continuing weapons deliveries to Ukraine is unacceptable.
- The Manila meeting represented the first formal bilateral talks between Rubio and Lavrov since September 2025.
- Marco Rubio confirmed US policy regarding weapon sales via the PURL initiative remains unchanged.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met with US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to reinvigorate stalled peace talks.
- The European Union agreed on its 21st sanctions package against Russia, freezing the Russian oil price cap for two months.
// Timeline
-
Presidents Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin meet in Alaska, establishing framework proposals for diplomatic resolution.
-
Rubio and Lavrov hold their previous bilateral meeting prior to the 2026 ASEAN summit.
-
Rubio and Lavrov hold brief informal discussions during an ASEAN gala dinner in Manila.
-
Rubio and Lavrov hold a 30-minute bilateral meeting in Manila; Zelensky confers with US envoys Witkoff and Kushner.
-
EU diplomats finalize the 21st sanctions package targeting Russian energy trade.
// Perspectives
[Russia]
Demands an immediate halt to US and European military support for Ukraine while claiming readiness for a political-diplomatic resolution.
[United States]
Sustains arms transfers through NATO partner purchasing programs while seeking a negotiated settlement to end the war.
[Ukraine]
Expands long-range drone strikes on Russian infrastructure while coordinating with US envoys to restart peace talks.
[European Union]
Maintains economic pressure on Moscow by approving a 21st sanctions package targeting Russian oil and energy exports.
// Quotes
“It was unacceptable to continue supplying weapons to the Kyiv regime.”
“We sell weapons through PURL… There has been no change in our policy in this regard.”
“I just spoke with President Trump’s envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. It was a good, important conversation on how to reinvigorate diplomacy and bring peace closer.”
