U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Thursday during the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit in Manila. During the meeting, Rubio stated that the Trump administration is prepared to facilitate an end to the conflict in Ukraine but noted that a diplomatic resolution will require "new suggestions and new ideas." Rubio characterized previous mediation efforts as "unfruitful" and said that a final agreement must be acceptable to both sides.
The Russian Foreign Ministry issued a statement following the meeting, reporting that Lavrov told Rubio further U.S. and European military assistance to Ukraine is "unacceptable." The ministry stated that Russia remains committed to agreements reached during the previous summit between President Vladimir Putin and President Donald Trump in Alaska. Rubio confirmed that there has been no change to current U.S. military support for Ukraine, which continues through the transfer of weapons purchased by NATO allies.
The summit also addressed escalating military activity between the United States and Iran. Rubio stated that Iran is seeking negotiations but asserted that the administration does not believe Tehran is ready to adhere to a deal. He cited President Trump’s policy of responding to Iranian attacks on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz with strikes on Iranian infrastructure. In response, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that Iran’s defense doctrine follows a policy of "an eye for an eye."
Additionally, Rubio met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi to discuss maritime disputes in the South China Sea. Following a confrontation on Thursday between Chinese and Philippine vessels at Scarborough Shoal, Rubio described the incident as "escalatory." The Chinese coast guard maintained its actions were "professional and lawful" responses to provocations, while the Philippine coast guard accused Chinese ships of using water cannons against fishing supply vessels.