Russia’s foreign minister and the U.S. secretary of state spoke Monday in what Moscow called “constructive” talks, part of preparations for a possible summit between Presidents Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump in Budapest.
According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, Sergey Lavrov and Secretary of State Marco Rubio discussed “possible concrete steps to implement the understandings reached” during last week’s Putin–Trump phone call. The statement offered no specifics.
The U.S. side said the call focused on “next steps following the October 16 call.” Principal Deputy Spokesperson Tommy Pigott said the talks are an opportunity “for Moscow and Washington to collaborate on advancing a durable resolution of the Russia-Ukraine war, in line with President Trump’s vision,” according to a State Department release.
Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said the two leaders agreed on their October 16 call to begin immediate preparations for a summit, with Budapest under consideration, and noted the two also discussed another face-to-face meeting soon, as reported by Reuters.
Later, President Trump stated the discussion was “very productive” and that a meeting in Hungary could happen in the next two weeks.
The Alaska encounter on Aug. 15—their first in-person session since the war in Ukraine began—ended without a cease-fire, though both sides kept channels open.
There is no date set for a meeting in Budapest, and both countries have said that more work needs to be done before leaders can meet again.
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