Russia announced that its Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov, and U.S. Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, have held a ‘constructive’ conversation. Both diplomats were specifically tasked with laying the groundwork for an upcoming summit between Presidents Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump.
Just last Thursday, on October 16, 2025, Mr. Putin and Mr. Trump had agreed during a telephone call to convene for their second summit this year in Budapest, Hungary. The subsequent discussion between Lavrov and Rubio was aimed at preparing this anticipated high-level meeting.
In a concise statement, the Russian Foreign Ministry confirmed, ‘A constructive discussion took place regarding possible concrete steps to implement the understandings reached during the October 16 telephone conversation between Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump.’
The ministry did not provide further details regarding the specifics of their conversation.
Russia has publicly expressed its desire for the forthcoming summit to address key issues, including a potential peace settlement for the conflict in Ukraine, as well as broader efforts to enhance bilateral relations between Moscow and Washington.