Rubio Says Lavrov Warned of Kyiv Strikes While Relaying Putin Message to Trump

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov warned Washington that Moscow was preparing “systemic strikes” on Kyiv while also relaying a message from President Vladimir Putin intended for US President Donald Trump , escalating diplomatic tensions alongside renewed battlefield attacks.

Rubio said Lavrov contacted him at Putin’s request and informed the United States that Russia was beginning strikes on Ukrainian military-linked targets. “Putin asked to relay a message to Trump,” Rubio said, confirming that the warning was specifically meant for the US president.

According to Russia’s Foreign Ministry, Lavrov told Rubio that Moscow would carry out “systematic and consistent strikes” on facilities in Kyiv used by Ukraine’s armed forces and on what it described as “decision-making centres.” Russia also advised foreign nationals and diplomatic staff to leave the Ukrainian capital ahead of the planned escalation.

Despite the warning, Rubio clarified that Moscow did not explicitly order the evacuation of the US embassy but suggested diplomatic sites could be at risk if strikes intensify.

The comments came as Ukraine reported more than 100 drones and two ballistic missiles launched overnight, part of continuing Russian aerial assaults across multiple regions.

There were no confirmed diplomatic evacuations , with the EU, France and Poland stating their missions would remain in Kyiv. Ukraine dismissed Moscow’s warning as psychological pressure, saying the threat level remains consistent with earlier stages of the war.

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the country still faces shortages of advanced US-made air defence systems , particularly for intercepting ballistic missiles, and is working with European partners to strengthen its defences.

Analysts at the Institute for the Study of War said Ukrainian drone operations are disrupting Russian supply lines, while suggesting Moscow’s warnings may be aimed at masking battlefield setbacks and economic strain . Rubio reiterated that the US remains open to diplomacy despite the escalation.