U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Thursday that the United States remains willing to act in a "constructive role" to help bring the war in Ukraine to an end, following talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. The exchange took place on the sidelines of an ASEAN gathering in Manila.
Speaking after the meeting, Rubio said President Donald Trump had communicated that the United States was prepared to assist in facilitating an end to what Rubio described as a "senseless war" should a viable opportunity present itself. Rubio declined to provide detailed accounts of Moscow's posture during the talks.
"We had a good conversation, a frank conversation," Rubio said of his discussion with his Russian counterpart, and added he would not go into specifics about what was discussed. He reiterated the administration's openness to help bring the conflict to a close.
"The United States, the president's been clear that ... we are prepared to play a constructive role in bringing about an end to a senseless war, and we're ready to do that," Rubio said.
According to a statement from the Russian foreign ministry, Lavrov "reaffirmed Russia's readiness for a political and diplomatic settlement of the conflict." The statement also said Lavrov told Rubio that Moscow remained committed to proposals that Presidents Trump and Vladimir Putin put forward at their August 2025 meeting in Alaska.
Rubio highlighted the severe human cost of the fighting, pointing to civilian fatalities and to Russian strikes on Kyiv. He said both Russia and Ukraine had reasons to pursue an end to the conflict, but he emphasized that the central difficulty was identifying a settlement that both parties could accept.
"I think it is a very bloody war," Rubio said. "I think both sides should have an incentive to bring it to an end. That's been the challenge, is an end that both sides can accept, and we've tried, and we'll continue to try to see if we can find a middle ground that brings this about."
The meeting in Manila followed regional diplomatic activity at the ASEAN gathering and represented a bilateral exchange between the U.S. and Russian foreign ministers. Rubio framed the U.S. position as one of readiness to assist if a diplomatic opening emerges, while the Russian statement stressed Moscow's continued adherence to previously outlined proposals.
Summary of the exchange: The United States signaled willingness to help facilitate a diplomatic end to the war in Ukraine; Russia said it remains open to political settlement and referenced the proposals put forward by the two presidents at their August 2025 meeting in Alaska. Rubio cited civilian casualties and strikes on Kyiv and said the main obstacle is finding terms both sides will accept.