Overview

• Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke on June 2 to coordinate the agenda for direct Russian-Ukrainian peace negotiations in Istanbul.
• Rubio expressed US support for President Donald Trump’s initiative to facilitate direct talks and offered Washington’s assistance to bridge Moscow and Kyiv.
• Lavrov said Russia is preparing detailed proposals for the negotiation table, following agreements reached by Presidents Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump on May 19.
• Both diplomats reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining a constructive and mutually respectful dialogue between their foreign policy agencies.
• Blasts that destroyed two bridges near Ukraine’s border killed at least seven people and injured 69, prompting Russia to pledge a full public investigation.