US Secretary of State and Russian Counterpart Engage in Talks Amidst Ongoing Ukraine Conflict
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio engages in talks with Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov, focusing on the Ukraine war and the role of China in US foreign policy, amidst national security concerns from US officials.
In recent developments, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio held discussions with Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov. Their latest conversation follows a previous phone call held three days earlier. Rubio is known for his long-standing push for an end to the war in Ukraine, having notably voted against a $6 billion US military aid package for 2024.
He perceives China as America's foremost rival and expresses concerns that Beijing is content with the US being preoccupied in Europe. Rubio emphasises that "one meeting is not going to solve [the war]", describing the Saudi talks as merely a preliminary step toward further negotiations. He insists that both Ukraine and Europe must be included in future discussions.
National security adviser Mike Waltz has suggested that the US is entitled to "some type of payback" for the vast financial support provided to Ukraine over the past three years of conflict. He believes that it is essential for Europeans to take responsibility for "owning this conflict" regarding future security guarantees.
Waltz also argues that Ukraine should consider sharing its mineral wealth with the US, particularly in areas such as rare earths, natural resources, and oil and gas.
Meanwhile, the role of Steve Witkoff remains ambiguous. Although this marks the first official negotiations between the US and Russia in nearly two years, Witkoff was recently appointed by Donald Trump to engage in talks in Moscow. While branded as Trump's Middle East envoy, he is perceived to hold greater significance, being viewed as a trusted dealmaker for the president.
Witkoff's diplomatic presence includes participation in negotiations for Israel's ceasefire with Hamas, and he was also dispatched to Russia to facilitate the exchange of US prisoner Marc Fogel for Russian national Alexander Vinnik, who is incarcerated in the United States.
