Rubio, Lavrov hold constructive talks ahead of Putin-Trump summit in Hungary

WASHINGTON, United States (MNTV) – US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov held what Moscow described as “constructive” talks as preparations advance for a potential summit between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump in Budapest.

According to Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov, Putin and Trump agreed during a phone call on Thursday to begin organizing a face-to-face meeting, with Hungary’s capital emerging as a likely venue.

Describing the call as “very productive,” Trump said he and Putin could meet within two weeks after high-level delegations from both sides hold preliminary talks next week.

The two leaders last met on Aug. 15 in Alaska, marking the first meeting between sitting US and Russian presidents since the Ukraine war began more than three and a half years ago.

A statement from the Russian Foreign Ministry said Lavrov and Rubio discussed “possible concrete steps to implement the understandings reached” during last week’s Putin-Trump call but did not provide further details.

The US State Department later confirmed the exchange, noting that the diplomats spoke to “discuss next steps following the October 16 call.”

Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said Rubio stressed that the upcoming engagements present “an opportunity for Moscow and Washington to collaborate on advancing a durable resolution of the Russia-Ukraine war, in line with President Trump’s vision.”