Can the Ukraine War Finally End? Rubio and Lavrov Hold High-Stakes Meeting

The United States is making a renewed diplomatic push to help end the war in Ukraine, with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio holding a crucial meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on the sidelines of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Manila on Thursday.

The talks come after months of stalled diplomatic efforts, as Washington's focus shifted to the escalating conflict involving Iran. Rubio indicated that the US remains willing to facilitate negotiations if an opportunity emerges, saying the meeting would assess whether conditions exist to revive discussions aimed at ending the prolonged war.

Speaking ahead of the meeting, Rubio acknowledged that peace initiatives concerning Ukraine had slowed in recent months but stressed that maintaining dialogue with Moscow remains essential despite deep disagreements. He noted that the United States and Russia, as the world's two largest nuclear powers, must continue engaging on issues of global security.

Lavrov, meanwhile, said he intended to seek clarification from Rubio regarding recent remarks by US President Donald Trump, who suggested that a settlement in the Ukraine conflict could be approaching. The exchange is expected to provide fresh insight into whether both sides see room for renewed diplomatic engagement.

The discussions come at a significant moment for Ukraine, where President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has reshuffled his government and military leadership as Kyiv seeks to strengthen its position amid the continuing conflict.

Ukraine, however, is only one part of the broader diplomatic agenda. Rubio said he also planned to explore areas where Washington and Moscow could cooperate despite ongoing geopolitical tensions.

During his visit to Manila, Rubio also met Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. Discussions with China included rising tensions in the South China Sea after another confrontation between Chinese and Philippine forces in disputed waters.

The ASEAN meeting has also focused on regional security, with member nations welcoming progress toward a long-awaited code of conduct aimed at preventing armed conflict in the strategically important South China Sea.