Full Breakdown
Lavrov and Rubio Hold 50-Minute Dialogue on Ukraine Settlement at UNGA
By Drooid · · How we work
Background & Context
The Russia-Ukraine war has remained a focal point of U.S. diplomatic activity. In the weeks preceding the United Nations General Assembly, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio continued Washington’s push for a settlement, while Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov reiterated Moscow’s position that any political solution must address what Russia calls the “root causes” of the conflict. The two officials previously met on July 22 on the sidelines of ASEAN-related meetings in Manila.
Meeting Overview
On September 23 2026, Lavrov and Rubio met for about 50 minutes behind closed doors on the sidelines of the 81st UN General Assembly in New York. The session began without opening statements to the media; journalists were allowed to pose questions before the officials entered the room.
Issues Discussed
The discussion covered a wide range of bilateral and international topics.
- Ukraine settlement: Lavrov highlighted what the Russian Foreign Ministry described as close coordination between Kyiv and its European supporters, and accused Ukrainian forces of deliberately striking civilians and cross-border energy infrastructure, which Moscow says destabilizes global energy markets. He affirmed Russia’s willingness to pursue a political and diplomatic settlement that eliminates the conflict’s “root causes.”
- Bilateral irritants: Both sides addressed the need to normalize diplomatic relations, including the return of Russian property that Moscow says has been “de facto confiscated” in the United States.
- Regional matters: The ministers touched on developments in the Middle East, the South Caucasus, and Latin America and the Caribbean.
- Multilateral agenda: Preparations for upcoming G20 events scheduled before year-end were reviewed, and Lavrov noted his participation in roughly 20 international meetings at the UN.
Official Statements & Responses
The ministry also stressed that Russia remains open to a diplomatic settlement based on eliminating the war’s root causes.
The U.S. State Department released a brief comment confirming that the meeting’s agenda included the Russia-Ukraine war and overall U.S.–Russia relations, without providing further detail.
What’s Next
Both ministries said they will maintain contact through their respective foreign-policy agencies to continue discussions on the topics raised. No specific future meetings or deadlines were announced.