Russia: Lavrov, Rubio meeting being arranged in Manila

A meeting between Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is being arranged on the sidelines of ASEAN ministerial-level events in Manila, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova told TASS.

“A meeting between Lavrov and Rubio on the sidelines of the ASEAN events in Manila is being arranged,” Zakharova said.

Earlier, Rubio said the United States was open to discussions with his Russian counterpart.

Rubio is visiting the Philippines from July 19 to 23 to attend ASEAN-related events. The Philippines, which holds the chairmanship of the 11-member regional bloc this year, is hosting the three-day talks in Manila.

By Sabina Mammadli