Moscow: Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov announced his readiness to meet with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to discuss bilateral issues, as well as the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.

According to Anadolu Agency, Lavrov, in remarks to the Russian state news agency RIA, emphasized the importance of regular dialogue between the two countries to advance the bilateral agenda and address the over three-and-a-half-year conflict. Lavrov noted the necessity of maintaining communication through phone calls and in-person meetings when needed, highlighting the presence of numerous "irritants" in Moscow-Washington relations inherited from former US President Joe Biden's administration.

Lavrov expressed that resolving these issues would take time, but acknowledged a willingness to resume dialogue with the start of US President Donald Trump's second term, though progress has not been as rapid as desired. He mentioned that two rounds of consultations have already occurred, stressing the importance of extending communication beyond diplomatic missions to include direct air service and the return of Russian diplomatic property seized by former US President Barack Obama in December 2016.

The comments from Lavrov followed the Kremlin's denial of media reports suggesting he had "fallen out of favor" with President Vladimir Putin after a planned summit between Putin and Trump in Budapest was canceled. The Financial Times reported that the cancellation came after a phone call between Lavrov and Rubio, during which Moscow reiterated its demands to address the "root causes" of the Russia-Ukraine war. The last phone conversation between Lavrov and Rubio took place on October 20.