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US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has confirmed he will discuss the prospects for resolving the conflict in Ukraine at a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, according to statements reported by TASS. The Kremlin, for its part, has expressed readiness to welcome such high-level contacts, which it says would build on the current technical-level communications between the two countries' foreign policy agencies.

Rubio's remarks came ahead of a planned meeting with Lavrov, following a brief encounter the previous evening. The US remains open and willing to play a constructive role in bringing the war in Ukraine to an end, he said.

Coverage Comparison

Two separate TASS reports provide the basis for this story. The first, dated July 20, quotes Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov responding to questions about recent statements by Rubio regarding his readiness to meet with Lavrov. Peskov noted that the contacts currently taking place between the two countries' foreign policy agencies are primarily technical in nature, but added that the Kremlin would welcome any contact at the foreign minister level.

The second report, dated July 22 and filed from Manila, covers Rubio's own statements to reporters. The US Secretary of State confirmed that he would discuss the prospects for resolving the conflict in Ukraine at the meeting with Lavrov, which was scheduled for Thursday. He also mentioned a brief encounter with Lavrov the previous night, during which they did not discuss substantive issues.

The two reports complement each other: the first focuses on the Kremlin's openness to contacts, while the second highlights the US's stated willingness to engage. Both use direct quotes from officials, with the TASS coverage maintaining a neutral tone throughout.

Key Claims

  • Kremlin welcomes high-level contacts: Peskov said the Kremlin would welcome contacts between Lavrov and Rubio should they take place. He described current contacts between the foreign policy agencies as primarily technical, but expressed openness to ministerial-level engagement.
  • Rubio to discuss Ukraine at meeting: Rubio stated that he would discuss the prospects for resolving the conflict in Ukraine at his meeting with Lavrov on Thursday. He said, "We are going to talk about it. We’d like to see that war coming to an end."
  • US open to constructive role: Rubio affirmed that the US remains open and willing to play a constructive role in bringing the war in Ukraine to an end, "when that opportunity presents itself." He also noted that his brief meeting with Lavrov the previous night did not cover these topics, but that further discussions would take place the next day.