US Offers Help, Russia Welcomes Dialogue as Thailand and Cambodia Plan Dec. 27 Border Talks

Overview

• After a call with Prime Minister Hun Manet, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the United States is ready to facilitate negotiations and emphasized full adherence to the Kuala Lumpur agreements.
• Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova welcomed signals from Bangkok and Phnom Penh to restart bilateral dialogue to secure a ceasefire and urged peaceful resolution with restraint to protect civilians.
• Thailand’s Foreign Ministry, citing the Defense Ministry, said the General Border Committee will meet at high level on December 27 to discuss establishing a ceasefire.
• Cross‑border clashes that reignited on December 7 have featured artillery, heavy weapons and airstrikes, with Thai forces reporting 22 soldiers killed and more than 120 wounded, and Cambodian authorities reporting civilian deaths and dozens injured.
• Hundreds of thousands on both sides have fled border districts, ASEAN members earlier endorsed exploratory ceasefire discussions, and a December 12 pledge to halt hostilities announced by President Donald Trump did not fully stop the fighting.