Rubio and Lavrov Set for September 23 Talks in New York
US and Russian foreign ministers will meet on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly to discuss the ongoing conflict.
Key points
- US Secretary of State Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov will meet in New York on September 23.
- The talks occur following recent discussions between President Trump and President Zelensky on ceasefire terms.
- This is the latest in a series of high-level diplomatic contacts aimed at ending the war in Ukraine.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is scheduled to hold talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in New York on September 23. According to the State Department, the meeting will take place on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, continuing a series of high-level diplomatic contacts between the two nations.
The encounter follows recent engagements by President Donald Trump with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the UN headquarters. During their discussion on September 22, the leaders addressed the possibility of an energy ceasefire and broader peace initiatives, setting the stage for the upcoming bilateral meeting between the foreign ministers.
Diplomatic Context and Recent Engagements
This meeting marks the latest in a sequence of interactions between the two officials over the past year. As reported by the Kyiv Independent, Rubio and Lavrov have engaged in several discussions as the Trump administration has sought to broker an end to the war in Ukraine. Their previous meeting on the UN sidelines in September 2025 saw Rubio urging Moscow to halt the bloodshed and take meaningful steps toward de-escalation.
Earlier in the year, the two held talks in Riyadh in February 2025. Those discussions were notable as the first official high-level U.S.-Russia negotiations since the full-scale invasion began. The consistent pattern of meetings suggests a sustained diplomatic effort to find a resolution, even as military operations continue.
Ukraine's Stance on Ceasefire Terms
Ukrainian leadership has signaled readiness for specific diplomatic outcomes. Following his meeting with President Trump, President Zelensky stated that Ukraine is prepared for an energy ceasefire if Russia agrees to identical terms. The discussions also covered critical issues such as winter support, air defense capabilities, and the framework for potential future peace negotiations.
Looking Ahead to Multilateral Sessions
The State Department has confirmed that Rubio will remain in New York from September 20 to 23 for the General Assembly sessions. During this period, he is meeting with various foreign counterparts to address security, economic issues, and broader peace efforts. The outcome of the bilateral talks with Lavrov will likely influence the tone of these multilateral discussions.
