Russia's Lavrov and US Secretary Rubio meet at UN to discuss Ukraine, relations

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met on Wednesday during the United Nations General Assembly in New York to discuss various issues, including the conflict in Ukraine, the Middle East, and improving bilateral relations. The Russian Foreign Ministry reported that Lavrov highlighted "coordination" between Ukraine's leadership and European supporters, as well as Ukrainian attacks on targets outside its borders. He also noted Kyiv's "destructive actions and deliberate strikes on civilians and trans-border infrastructure sites," which Russia claims destabilizes global energy markets. Lavrov emphasized Russia's commitment to its "special military operation" goals in Ukraine, aiming for a resolution that addresses the "root causes" of its invasion. Additionally, Lavrov stressed the importance of quickly improving bilateral relations and eliminating "irritants," including the return of Russian property in the US, to normalize diplomatic missions.