Marco Rubio said the U.S. is ready to help end the Ukraine war, but no quick deal is in sight.
Why it matters: The comments show Washington still wants a diplomatic opening with Moscow, even as progress remains elusive. Any shift could affect sanctions, weapons policy, energy markets and broader security ties.
- Rubio met Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on July 23, 2026, on the sidelines of ASEAN talks in Manila.
- He said past U.S.-mediated efforts had been "unsuccessful or at least unfruitful."
- Rubio said Trump remains committed to diplomacy "if conditions and factors have changed to make that possible."
- Lavrov's ministry said Russia remains ready for a political and diplomatic resolution and opposes further arming Ukraine.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the Trump administration is prepared to help bring about an end to the war in Ukraine, but stressed that there is no fast route to a deal after meeting Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Manila, the Philippines.
The meeting took place during the 59th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting and related meetings, where regional diplomacy was already focused on other security issues as well.
Rubio said the United States is ready to play a constructive role in ending what he called a senseless war, but he emphasized that any settlement has to work for both sides. "That's been the challenge - an end that both sides can accept," he said.
He also said there has been no change in U.S. military support for Ukraine, with weapons purchased by NATO allies and transferred to Kyiv.
The Russian Foreign Ministry said Lavrov reiterated Moscow's readiness for a political and diplomatic resolution while opposing further arms for Ukraine. The exact contents of the bilateral discussion were not made public.
Ukraine's top diplomat, Andrii Sybiha, was invited to an ASEAN commemorative ceremony but did not take part in the ASEAN meetings Rubio and Lavrov attended.
AP reported the meeting and Rubio's comments from Manila: US is ready to help end the 'senseless war' in Ukraine but no quick deal ahead, Rubio says.
By the numbers
- July 23, 2026 - date Rubio met Lavrov in Manila.
- 59th - ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting, the setting for the bilateral encounter.
- 2 sides - Rubio said any deal must be acceptable to both Russia and Ukraine.
Yes, but: The sources do not show any breakthrough, and Rubio said past mediation attempts have been unfruitful.
What's next: The Manila ASEAN meetings ran through July 24, 2026.