Lead

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio held a telephone conversation on May 5, discussing the current situation in international affairs and Russian-US relations, according to the Russian Foreign Ministry. The US State Department said the call also covered Ukraine and Iran, and that it took place at the initiative of the Russian side.

Coverage Comparison

Two reports from TASS — the Russian state news agency — provide details of the call. One, citing the Russian Foreign Ministry, said the heads of the foreign policy departments "touched base" on global developments and bilateral ties, and also discussed the schedule of bilateral contacts. The ministry described the conversation as "constructive and businesslike in nature."

The other report, citing a US State Department statement, said Rubio and Lavrov discussed bilateral relations, the Russia-Ukraine war, and Iran. The department said the conversation took place at the initiative of the Russian side.

The two accounts are broadly consistent, though they emphasise different aspects: the Russian report focuses on the overall state of relations and the constructive tone, while the US statement highlights the specific topics of Ukraine and Iran.

Key Claims

  • Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio held a telephone conversation on May 5, as reported by TASS, citing the Russian Foreign Ministry.
  • The conversation covered the current situation in the world and in Russian-US relations, according to the Russian Foreign Ministry.
  • The US State Department said the call discussed bilateral relations, the Russia-Ukraine war, and Iran.
  • The Russian Foreign Ministry characterised the conversation as "constructive and businesslike."
  • The US State Department said the call was initiated by the Russian side.
  • The schedule of bilateral contacts was also discussed, according to the Russian Foreign Ministry.