Thu Jul 10 11:38:19 UTC 2025: **Headline: US and Russia Explore New Avenues for Ukraine Peace Talks**

**Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – July 10, 2025** – U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov met today in Kuala Lumpur on the sidelines of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, discussing potential pathways to peace in Ukraine.

Following the 50-minute meeting, Secretary Rubio told reporters that the U.S. and Russia have exchanged “new and different” ideas for resolving the ongoing conflict. While stopping short of guaranteeing success, he described the proposed concepts as something he would bring back to President Donald Trump for further consideration. Rubio also expressed President Trump’s frustration with what he perceived as a lack of flexibility from the Russian side in reaching a resolution.

“We need to see a roadmap moving forward about how this conflict can conclude,” Rubio stated, emphasizing the U.S.’s continued commitment to finding opportunities to make a difference in the region.

The Russian Foreign Ministry released a statement describing the meeting as a “substantive and frank exchange of views” on Ukraine, Iran, Syria, and other global issues. Both countries reportedly reaffirmed their commitment to peaceful conflict resolution, restoring economic and humanitarian cooperation, and fostering unimpeded societal contact, potentially through the resumption of direct air traffic. The importance of normalizing bilateral diplomatic relations was also highlighted.

The meeting took place within the context of the annual Association of Southeast Asian Nations Regional Forum, a gathering of ASEAN members and their key diplomatic partners, including Russia, China, Japan, South Korea, European nations, and the United States.

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