Sergey Lavrov, the Russian Foreign Minister, has expressed his willingness to engage in another in-person dialogue with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. This move underscores Moscow’s desire to maintain diplomatic communications, although it remains steadfast on its conditions for resolving the conflict in Ukraine.

This willingness was communicated through the state news agency RIA Novosti, with Reuters being the first to report it on Sunday. Lavrov emphasized the importance of regular exchanges with Rubio, stating, “Secretary Rubio and I acknowledge the necessity of continuous dialogue. It is crucial for addressing the Ukrainian situation and advancing our bilateral agenda. Hence, we engage in phone conversations and are prepared for face-to-face discussions when required.”

This diplomatic overture follows closely on the heels of a significant Russian weapons test that heightened international tensions. President Vladimir Putin recently disclosed the “successful test of a nuclear-powered underwater torpedo.” Mere days later, on October 31, the U.S. decided to cancel a scheduled Budapest summit between President Donald Trump and President Putin, a decision influenced by Russia’s unwavering stance on its stringent demands concerning Ukraine.

In an earlier instance, U.S. President Donald Trump is seen greeting Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov before talks with President Putin at the G20 summit in Hamburg, Germany, on July 7, 2017. (Photo by Mikhail Klimentyev, Kremlin Pool via AP)

Recent Diplomatic Track

Throughout this year, both nations have engaged in several rounds of negotiations. On February 18 in Riyadh, Rubio and Lavrov spearheaded delegations that agreed to resume normal diplomatic operations and establish technical teams. A subsequent meeting on February 27 in Istanbul concentrated on issues such as embassy access, staffing, banking, and the restoration of direct air services.

The pair met again on July 10 in Kuala Lumpur, where Rubio delivered what he called a “frank” message conveying Trump’s frustration at Russia’s lack of flexibility. On Sept. 24, during the U.N. General Assembly in New York, Rubio pressed Moscow again to take “meaningful steps toward a durable resolution,” according to a State Department readout.

A Russian journalist speaking from Moscow on condition of anonymity told Fox News Digital that the nuclear test should be read as political signaling. “At the moment, Russia and the U.S. are trying to feel each other out in the diplomatic field. Nuclear test turmoil is a diplomatic lever and nothing more,” he said. Trump and Putin are “trying to play Nixon’s ‘crazy president’ card to see who chickens first, also to test reaction.”

In this photo released by the Russian Foreign Ministry Press Service via their telegram channel, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov listens to North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui during their talks in Pyongyang, North Korea, on Thursday, Oct. 19, 2023. (Russian Foreign Ministry Press Service telegram channel via AP)

He added that the Kremlin remains committed to its objectives in Ukraine. “The Kremlin still wants to reach the objective of the ‘special military operation’ and is going to play it at a steady pace until Ukraine crumbles or something else happens.”

Rumors Around Lavrov’s Status Rejected

Rumors that Lavrov had fallen out of favor intensified when he missed a major Kremlin meeting. But on Nov. 7, the Kremlin “dismissed speculation,” Reuters reported.

The Moscow journalist confirmed the information to Fox News Digital: “The Kremlin denied these rumors twice. And it says a lot that Lavrov is not in disgrace. In Russia, usually officials in disgrace lose their position before it’s even become known to the public.” He added that Lavrov publicly addressed several issues yesterday, “so he is apparently sitting at the Foreign Ministry chair firmly.”

Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrives for an event in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., on Thursday, May 1, 2025. (Yuri Gripas/Abaca/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Lavrov also reiterated Russia’s conditions for ending the war, Reuters reported. According to Reuters, he said, “No one questions the territorial integrity of Russia and the choice of the residents of Crimea, Donbas and Novorossiya,” and noted that Moscow is waiting for U.S. confirmation that earlier “Anchorage agreements” on frozen assets remain in force.

The U.S. State Dept. did not respond to a request for comment before publication time.