Russia warns U.S. against Ukraine arms sales in Manila meeting
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met in Manila to discuss the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, specifically addressing U.S. arms supplies. While Russia criticized the weapon deliveries, the U.S. maintained its current policy while expressing a desire for a diplomatic resolution.
Why it matters
This meeting highlights the ongoing diplomatic friction between the U.S. and Russia regarding the Ukraine war and the potential for future peace negotiations involving international envoys.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov warned Washington against making "unacceptable" arms deliveries to Ukraine during a Thursday (July 23, 2026) meeting in Manila with U.S. counterpart Marco Rubio, Moscow said.
Mr. Lavrov and Mr. Rubio's meeting on the sidelines of a Southeast Asian summit, their first since September 2025, came as Washington's focus has switched from mediating in Ukraine to dealing with war in the West Asia.
Mr. Lavrov told the U.S. Secretary of State, "It was unacceptable to continue supplying weapons to the Kyiv regime", the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
Following the half-hour meeting, Mr. Rubio told reporters the two men had "a good conversation, a frank conversation", without disclosing details.
Asked about the arms deliveries referenced by Moscow, Mr. Rubio replied: "We sell weapons through PURL... There has been no change in our policy in this regard."
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