Rubio Speaks To Lavrov, Reiterates Trump’s Push For Continued Direct Russia-Ukraine Talks

Last Updated:June 02, 2025, 15:08 IST

Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov and US Secretary of State Rubio discussed de-escalation of Moscow-Kyiv tension ahead of peace talks in Istanbul.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov (L); US Secretary of State Marco Rubio (Image: Reuters and AP)

A day before Moscow and Kyiv’s peace talks, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio discussed prospects for de-escalating the tensions between them.

The Russia-Ukraine talks were expected to be held in Turkey’s Istanbul on Monday, Lavrov’s ministry said.

“The situation linked to the Ukraine crisis was discussed," the ministry said in a statement on its website.

“S.V. Lavrov and M. Rubio also exchanged views on various initiatives concerning a settlement of the Ukraine crisis, including plans to resume direct Russian-Ukrainian talks in Istanbul on June 2," the statement further read.

The US State Department mentioned that Trump’s support in the matter in order to achieve “a lasting peace."

Rubio reiterated Donald Trump’s call for continued direct talks between Russia and Ukraine to achieve “a lasting peace." US noted the call was at Russia’s request.

The statement mentioned that as the two leader held talks over phone call, Rubio expressed condolences over deaths that occurred when two bridges were blown up in separate Russian regions bordering Ukraine.

“It was stressed on the Russian side that competent bodies will proceed with a thorough investigation and the results will be published. The guilty parties will be identified and will without doubt be subject to a worthy punishment," the statement further read.

Reuters, citing Russian officials, reported that at least seven people were killed and 69 sustained injuries when the two bridges were blown up on Saturday.

Further, hours ahead of the peace-talks, tensions escalated between Russia sand Ukraine after the latter launched a massive drone attack against Moscow, prompting it to shoot down many of Ukrainian drones. Russia’s health ministry confirmed the retaliatory action on Monday morning.

“Air defence systems intercepted and destroyed 162 Ukrainian drones" between 1710 GMT and 2300 GMT on Sunday, news agency AFP quoted the Russia’s health ministry’s statement. The statement mentioned that majority of the drones were brought down over regions bordering Ukraine, with 57 intercepted over the Kursk region and 31 over the Belgorod region.

Manisha Roy

Manisha Roy is a Senior Sub-Editor at News18.com's general desk. She comes with an experience of over 5 years in media industry. She covers politics and other hard news. She can be contacted at Manisha.Roy@nw18...Read More

Manisha Roy is a Senior Sub-Editor at News18.com's general desk. She comes with an experience of over 5 years in media industry. She covers politics and other hard news. She can be contacted at Manisha.Roy@nw18...

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News world Rubio Speaks To Lavrov, Reiterates Trump’s Push For Continued Direct Russia-Ukraine Talks