Rubio to meet with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov amidst ASEAN meetings in Manila
Marco Rubio will meet with Russia's foreign minister on Thursday after a series of meetings with world leaders in Manila
Assessment
A meeting between a senior U.S. official and Russia's top diplomat on the sidelines of ASEAN gatherings signals a rare direct diplomatic channel amid ongoing tensions. The encounter in Manila suggests both sides may be probing for openings on issues like Ukraine or arms control, though no agenda has been disclosed. The outcome will be watched for any shift in public posture or concrete next steps.