Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio held bilateral talks in the Philippines, according to the Russian news agency Tass.
The meeting took place against the backdrop of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) ministerial meetings, where both diplomats are scheduled to attend.
Rubio indicated that the primary objective of the discussion was to assess Lavrov’s stance on potential new peace negotiations regarding Ukraine.
This direct engagement represents a significant diplomatic development, signaling a willingness from both sides to explore pathways toward de-escalation in the ongoing conflict.
The talks come amid heightened geopolitical tensions in other regions.
Recent Handelsavisen coverage has highlighted escalating shipping risks, including Houthi strikes on Saudi tankers in the Red Sea and PLA live-fire drills in the Taiwan Strait.