Lavrov Warns US Over Arms Support for Ukraine

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has warned the United States against what he described as “unacceptable” weapons deliveries to Ukraine during talks with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Manila, as both sides discussed the ongoing conflict and prospects for peace.

The meeting, held on the sidelines of a Southeast Asian summit, marked the first face-to-face talks between Lavrov and Rubio since September 2025. According to Russia’s Foreign Ministry, Lavrov told his American counterpart that “it was unacceptable to continue supplying weapons to the Kyiv regime.”

After the 30-minute meeting, Marco Rubio described the discussion as “a good conversation, a frank conversation,” but did not provide further details. Responding to questions about US military support, he said, “We sell weapons through PURL… There has been no change in our policy in this regard.” The PURL initiative enables Ukraine to receive US military equipment purchased by Washington’s NATO allies.

Despite their differences, both officials expressed support for a diplomatic solution. Marco Rubio said, “We want a peace deal. We want the war to end,” adding that any agreement would require “something that both Russia and Ukraine can agree to.” Meanwhile, Sergei Lavrov reiterated that Russia remained open to a “political-diplomatic resolution to the conflict.”

Ahead of the meeting, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky revealed that he had spoken with President Donald Trump’s envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, about reviving stalled peace negotiations. He wrote on X, “It was a good, important conversation on how to reinvigorate diplomacy and bring peace closer.”

The discussions came as fighting continued. Russian airstrikes reportedly killed three people in eastern Ukraine, while authorities said four others died in Ukrainian attacks inside Russia and annexed Crimea. The two diplomats also discussed the conflict in the Middle East, with Moscow criticising recent US strikes on Iran.

Do you think renewed diplomatic talks can bring Russia and Ukraine closer to a lasting peace agreement?