US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Thursday that the United States remains prepared to play a “constructive role” in ending the war in Ukraine.
Following talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on the sidelines of an ASEAN meeting in Manila, Rubio stated that President Trump has made clear America is willing to help facilitate an end to the “senseless war” if the opportunity arises.
“We had a good conversation, a frank conversation,” Rubio said. “The United States… we are prepared to play a constructive role in bringing about an end to a senseless war, and we’re ready to do that.”
Lavrov reaffirmed Russia’s readiness for a political and diplomatic settlement and told Rubio that Moscow remains committed to proposals put forward by Presidents Trump and Putin at their August 2025 meeting in Alaska.
Rubio noted the heavy toll of the conflict, including civilian deaths and Russian strikes on Kyiv, and said both sides have an incentive to end the war, but the challenge is finding a settlement both can accept.
