United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met on July 23, 2026, in Manila, Philippines, on the sidelines of an ASEAN summit. The meeting, which lasted approximately 30 minutes, marked the first direct dialogue between the two officials since September 2025.

During the discussions, Sergey Lavrov issued a stern warning to Marco Rubio regarding the continued supply of Western weaponry to Ukraine, labeling the ongoing deliveries as unacceptable. The meeting occurred shortly after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with American envoys to discuss diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict. Currently, peace negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv remain stalled, as Russia continues to demand territorial concessions from Ukraine.

The high-level talks took place as global focus shifts toward developments in the Middle East, with Washington attempting to maintain a measured diplomatic tone in its interactions with Moscow. Both delegations refrained from making public statements to the press following the private session. The meeting reflects the persistent tensions between the two global powers regarding security concerns in Eastern Europe and the broader geopolitical landscape.