Overview
- Lavrov told Russia’s RIA Novosti he is ready to meet U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in person and said the two have been speaking by phone.
- He reiterated that any end to the war requires addressing Russia’s interests and its stated “root causes,” signaling no softening of Moscow’s position.
- Multiple outlets reported the U.S. canceled a planned Budapest summit between President Donald Trump and President Vladimir Putin, with Reuters sources citing excessive Kremlin demands and refusal to accept a ceasefire.
- Lavrov and Rubio last spoke on Oct. 21 about summit terms, after which Rubio reportedly recommended scrapping the meeting.
- The Kremlin denied reports that Lavrov’s influence is fading, though he missed a Nov. 5 meeting led by Putin, and he asserted that Crimea’s sovereignty is “settled” based on the disputed 2014 referendum.