Newsletters
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov held a phone conversation Saturday to discuss the outcomes of recent peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul, according to statements from both governments.
The Russian Foreign Ministry said the call was initiated by the American side, with both diplomats focusing on the results of talks held Friday in Istanbul.
During the call, Rubio welcomed agreements reached on prisoner exchanges and acknowledged the commitment from both Moscow and Kyiv to prepare proposals for potential ceasefire conditions. The Secretary of State emphasized that Washington remains ready to support resolution efforts.
"Sergey Lavrov acknowledged the US positive role in helping secure Kyiv's eventual acceptance of President Vladimir Putin's proposal to resume the Istanbul talks," the Russian ministry's statement noted. "He confirmed Moscow's readiness to continue working jointly with American counterparts in this context."
Following the conversation, Rubio took to social media platform X to share his message to Lavrov: "The death and destruction must stop." He added that the United States had presented a "strong peace plan" and urged all parties not to "miss this huge opportunity," declaring that "the time for ending this war is now."
The Istanbul talks represent the most significant diplomatic engagement between Russia and Ukraine in recent months, with Türkiye serving as a key facilitator in the peace process. The ministers also reportedly discussed other international and regional issues, including prospects for future diplomatic engagement between the two countries.
State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce reinforced America's position in an official statement, saying the "United States is committed to achieving a lasting end to the Russia-Ukraine war." Bruce described Washington's "comprehensive peace plan" as "the best way forward."
2 min read
