High-Stakes Diplomacy: Rubio and Lavrov's Critical Meeting Amid U.S.-Russia Tensions

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is scheduled for a high-profile meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov during the ASEAN foreign ministers' summit in Kuala Lumpur. The discussion comes amid escalating tensions between the U.S. and Russia over the protracted conflict in Ukraine.

This meeting, the second between Rubio and Lavrov, follows an earlier dialogue in Saudi Arabia. These efforts are part of the Trump administration's initiative to rebuild U.S.-Russia ties and negotiate peace in Ukraine, despite shifts in Trump's rhetoric, which included criticisms of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

On Wednesday, the Kremlin responded to Trump's criticisms by remaining composed, while Russia continued its aggressive military actions in Ukraine. As Rubio engages diplomatically in Asia, the U.S. aims to reinforce its strategic interests in the Indo-Pacific region amidst global conflicts.

(With inputs from agencies.)