Rubio-Lavrov talks spark cautious optimism on Ukraine peace

• U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio had a phone conversation with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to discuss the next steps in negotiations concerning the end of the war in Ukraine.
• Rubio informed Lavrov about American military operations against Houthi rebels in Yemen, emphasising that further Houthi attacks on American ships will not be tolerated.
• The conversation was the third contact between Rubio and Lavrov since the start of Donald Trump's second term, and the U.S. President considered the talks promising.

During the phone conversation on Saturday, Marco Rubio and Sergey Lavrov focused on discussing further actions in the context of negotiations to end the war in Ukraine.

The two politicians also discussed "next steps to follow up on recent meetings in Saudi Arabia and agreed to continue working towards restoring communication between the United States and Russia."

The U.S. State Department reported that Rubio conveyed to Russia information about American military deterrence operations supported by Iranian-backed Houthis. He emphasised that Houthi attacks on American ships in the Red Sea will not be tolerated.

Saturday's conversation was the third contact between Rubio and Lavrov since the start of Donald Trump's second term. Two days earlier, special envoy for the Middle East Steve Witkoff spoke with Vladimir Putin. Although Putin did not accept the American proposal for a ceasefire of approximately one month, Trump considered the talks "very promising" and "productive".

Marco Rubio, recounting the talks with the Russians after the G7 summit in Canada, was cautious in his assessments. He noted the "difficult and complex situation," but at the same time, saw reasons for cautious optimism. Rubio suggested that Vladimir Putin's public statements might not reflect Russia's actual stance in confidential negotiations.