Kuala lumpur: Russia and the United States (US) have held ‘substantive and frank’ discussions on the settlement in Ukraine, and the situation in Iran and Syria. The Russian Foreign Ministry made this announcement following a bilateral meeting between Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, which took place on the sidelines of the 58th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meetings (AMM) and related meetings.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the discussions were a follow-up to the agreements reached by Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump, including during their latest telephone conversation on July 3. The ministers reviewed all issues on the bilateral agenda and the global situation, reaffirming their commitment to searching for peaceful solutions to conflict situations. They also discussed resuming Russian-US economic and humanitarian cooperation and unhindered ties between their countries’ societies, with potential promotion through the resumption of direct flights.

The statement highlighted the importance of continued efforts to normalise the functioning of bilateral diplomatic missions. It was agreed to continue constructive dialogue on a growing number of issues of mutual interest based on mutual respect between the Russian and US foreign policy offices.

Lavrov and Rubio are currently in the Malaysian capital to attend ministerial-level ASEAN-led meetings, including ASEAN Post Ministerial Conferences, the 15th East Asia Summit Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, and the 32nd ASEAN Regional Forum scheduled for July 10 and 11. The ongoing 58th AMM and related meetings are being held under Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship for 2025, with the theme ‘Inclusivity and Sustainability’.