In a significant diplomatic development, Russia has announced that its Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov, and U.S. Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, held ‘constructive’ discussions on Monday. These talks were specifically aimed at preparing for an upcoming summit between Presidents Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump.
The two leaders had previously agreed in a phone call on October 16, 2025, to meet soon in Budapest, Hungary. This highly anticipated gathering would mark their second summit this year, underscoring ongoing efforts to navigate complex international relations.
According to a brief statement from the Russian Foreign Ministry, the conversation between Lavrov and Rubio focused on “possible concrete steps to implement the understandings reached” during the recent presidential telephone call. While no further details were immediately released, the use of the term ‘constructive’ suggests a productive exchange.
Russia has publicly stated its key objectives for the upcoming summit, which include seeking a potential peace settlement for the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and exploring avenues to improve the often-strained bilateral relations between Moscow and Washington.