Lavrov and Rubio meet as Ukraine ceasefire calls intensify
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met privately in New York on September 23 during the UN General Assembly, discussing the war in Ukraine and bilateral relations. The meeting took place amid competing calls for a ceasefire: Ukraine and more than 50 UN member states urged an immediate halt to fighting, while Lavrov said Russia would not pause its military operation during negotiations; Rubio said both sides had shown interest in narrower truces involving grain and energy, but that such a truce would not end the war.
Countries involved Russia · 2 outletsUkraine · 3 outletsUnited States · 0 of our 3 outletsFrance · 1 outletChina · 2 outlets
First reported among our outlets by TASS (Russia), · most coverage from Ukraine (2), Russia (2), China (2), Venezuela (1)
What the parties said
Russia
Having learned from bitter experience, we will not pause the special military operation for the duration of negotiations in any format,
We hope that the new secretary-general will bring the language of the official representatives of the Secretariat back into the international legal framework.
During the upcoming meeting between Sergey Lavrov and Marco Rubio, the two sides will also discuss issues of cooperation between the two countries at the United Nations.
Ukraine
We are ready for a full, unconditional ceasefire.
Russia vetoes not just a ceasefire. Russia vetoes peace.
Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha stressed during a UN Security Council meeting that Russia's war against Ukraine poses a threat to the entire world.
United States
I think both sides have expressed an interest in some limited ceasefire that involve grain and energy.
The idea that we would not interact with them at the highest levels is irresponsible.
It doesn't solve the war, but it does, I think, in some ways, potentially alleviate some of the global pressures,
Coverage
RIA Novosti · Russia24 Sep 00:08“They made faces”: Ukrainians’ behavior during Lavrov’s speech astonishes people in Kyiv
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TASS · Russia22 Sep 23:40Lavrov, Rubio may discuss cooperation between two countries at UN — Russian MFA
Washington’s policy at the United Nations has become more pragmatic.
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The Kyiv Independent · Ukraine23 Sep 03:34Rubio to meet Lavrov in New York on Sept. 23
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio will meet Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in New York on Sept. 23 on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly, according to the State…
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51 countries back Ukraine in joint statement calling for Black Sea initiative as world gathers for UN General Assembly
Ukrainska Pravda · Ukraine23 Sep 21:20Putin envoy heads to US for talks with Trump officials – Reuters
It was reported that 50 countries and the European Union issued a joint statement in support of Ukraine at the UN, calling on Russia to agree to a ceasefire.
Ukrinform · Ukraine23 Sep 18:28Sybiha at UN Security Council: We are ready for complete ceasefire, but Russia is vetoing peace
Russia vetoes not just a ceasefire. Russia vetoes peace.
France 24 · France23 Sep 05:29AI risks, Iran war dominate agenda at UN
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None
UN official calls for efforts toward immediate ceasefire in Ukraine
UN Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs Rosemary DiCarlo on Wednesday called for efforts toward an immediate, full and unconditional ceasefire in…
UN official calls for efforts toward immediate ceasefire in Ukraine
Nearly five years in, Russia and Ukraine are facing a stark choice between an even larger conflict and a conscious decision to pursue peace
Yonhap News Agency · South Korea23 Sep 19:13US and Russian foreign ministers meet; Rubio: Russia and Ukraine interested in a limited ceasefire (updated)
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Der Spiegel · GermanyRussia: US invites Vladimir Putin to G20 summit in Miami
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The Guardian · United Kingdom23 Sep 18:09‘We hope he’ll accept’: US invites Putin to G20 summit at Trump golf club
Security Council LIVE: World leaders debate ongoing war in Ukraine
any resolution still runs up against the veto of Russia, one of its own permanent members
Clarín · Argentina24 Sep 13:10Brussels to insist at G20 on ending the war in Ukraine, whether Putin attends or not
teleSUR English · Venezuela23 Sep 18:57Lavrov Reaffirms Russia’s Position on Ukraine Conflict at UN Security Council
“Although this is precisely what Europe wants, all with the same simple goal: to gain a respite and replenish the depleted military arsenals of the Kiev regime, which, out of…
CBC News · Canada23 Sep 22:46Trump greets Xi on tarmac as Chinese leader arrives for state visit
The idea that we would not interact with them at the highest levels is irresponsible.
The Hindu · India23 Sep 22:32Xi arrives in Washington, kicking off his state visit with rare planeside welcome from Trump
“the two largest economies in the world” and “probably the two most powerful militaries in the world.”
Where accounts differ
Whether fighting should stop during negotiations and what a ceasefire should involve
Lavrov said Russia would not pause its military operation during negotiations.
Having learned from bitter experience, we will not pause the special military operation for the duration of negotiations in any format.
Sybiha said Ukraine was ready for a full, unconditional ceasefire and accused Russia of blocking peace.
We are ready for a full, unconditional ceasefire.
Russia vetoes not just a ceasefire. Russia vetoes peace.
Rubio said both sides had expressed interest in more limited truces involving grain and energy, while stressing that these would not end the war.
Number of supporters of the UN statement
A report citing Reuters described the statement as issued by 50 countries and the European Union.
It was reported that 50 countries and the European Union issued a joint statement in support of Ukraine at the UN, calling on Russia to agree to a ceasefire.
Barrot said 51 of the 193 UN member states supported the statement; other accounts described the supporters as more than 50 UN member states.
more than 50 UN member states called on Russia to agree to a complete, immediate, and unconditional ceasefire and to begin substantive peace negotiations.