Lavrov and Rubio Discuss Ukraine Conflict and Bilateral Relations at UNGA

MOSCOW, September 23. /TASS/. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met on the sidelines of the 81st UN General Assembly’s High-Level Week to examine Kiev’s actions that lead to destabilization on energy markets, the Russian Foreign Ministry said.

During the meeting, Lavrov pointed to the need to mend Moscow-Washington relations.

In turn, Rubio admitted that a short-term or temporary ceasefire in Ukraine would not facilitate conflict settlement.

TASS gathered the sides’ key remarks about the recent meeting.

Russian Foreign Ministry’s statement

Discussing the Ukrainian conflict, Lavrov "drew attention to the close coordination between the Kiev regime and its European sponsors."

The ministry said that during the meeting, the sides "examined in detail Kiev’s destructive actions, including deliberate strikes against civilians and cross-border infrastructure, which destabilize global energy markets.

"The Russian side reaffirmed its unconditional commitment to achieving the goals of the special military operation, including through a political and diplomatic settlement of the conflict that addresses its root causes."

"Fixing the Russia-US ties requires an honest dialogue to address the most pressing issues: "This requires an honest dialogue on removing 'irritants' and restoring normal working conditions for both countries’ diplomatic missions, including the return of Russian property in the US that has effectively been confiscated."

"The Russian side also "stressed the need to restore bilateral relations to a sound footing as soon as possible, in accordance with the agreements reached by the presidents of Russia and the United States," particularly as "discussions intensify on prospects for economic cooperation, cultural and humanitarian exchanges, easier travel between the two countries, and closer ties between their societies and citizens."

Besides, Lavrov and Rubio discussed "the situation in the Middle East, the South Caucasus, Latin America and the Caribbean."

US remarks

Rubio and Lavrov discussed the Ukrainian conflict and bilateral relations in New York, the US Department of State said in a statement.

"Secretary of State Marco Rubio met today with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on the sidelines of UNGA [UN General Assembly]. The Secretary discussed·the Russia-Ukraine war·and the US-Russia bilateral relationship."

Rubio acknowledged that limited or temporary ceasefires in Ukraine would not lead to a settlement of the conflict: "I will say that war is not going to end on the battlefield. That war is going to end - I think everyone acknowledges - with a negotiated agreement, and we all understand that. And the sooner we can reach that agreement, the less things will be destroyed, and the less people are going to die on both sides. That's what the president wants."

In his opinion, both Russia and Ukraine show interest in a number of areas: "I think both sides have expressed an interest in some limited ceasefire that involves grain and energy [supplies]."

Rubio said that although "’it doesn't solve the war," but, in his view, may "potentially alleviate some of the global pressures" in some way.