Lavrov and Rubio meet as Ukraine ceasefire calls intensify
A story of 6 related events · arranged 25 Sep 08:19 UTC · Sources | Summary
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.
Key points
The meeting produced no announced agreement, while the parties continued to differ over whether fighting should stop during negotiations.
Evidence · 4 source statements
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov is meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on the sidelines of the high-level week of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly in…
“The Russian side reaffirmed its unconditional commitment to achieving the goals of the special military operation, including through a political and diplomatic settlement of the…
Having learned from bitter experience, we will not pause the special military operation for the duration of negotiations in any format.
We are ready for a full, unconditional ceasefire.
Rubio described possible limited truces as a step that could address some issues and support a broader agreement, not as an end to the war.
Evidence · 2 source statements
Rubio acknowledged that limited or temporary ceasefires in Ukraine would not lead to a settlement of the conflict:
More than 50 UN member states called on Russia to accept an immediate, unconditional ceasefire and begin peace negotiations.
Evidence · 1 source statement
more than 50 UN member states called on Russia to agree to a complete, immediate, and unconditional ceasefire and to begin substantive peace negotiations.
Who's involved
Sergey Lavrov · Russia
Russia’s foreign minister and a participant in the meeting and Security Council debate.
Lavrov said Russia would not pause its military operation during negotiations but was ready to negotiate a lasting and just peace. He invoked the rights of Russians and Russian speakers among the operation’s objectives, and said Moscow-Washington relations needed repair.
What they said · 4 source statements
Russia, as [President Vladimir] Putin has repeatedly confirmed, is ready for negotiations to achieve precisely such a lasting and just peace.
Having learned from bitter experience, we will not pause the special military operation for the duration of negotiations in any format.
One of the objectives of the special military operation, in addition to unconditionally ensuring Russia’s security interests, is to fully account for the rights of Russians and…
During the meeting, Lavrov pointed to the need to mend Moscow-Washington relations.
Russian Foreign Ministry · Russia
The ministry described Russia’s view of possible UN cooperation and of its differences with the United States and Europe.
The ministry said Russia and the United States had considerable potential to cooperate at the UN, described U.S. policy there as more pragmatic, and said Russia’s main disagreements were with Europeans rather than Americans.
What they said · 3 source statements
Washington’s policy at the United Nations has become more pragmatic.
Against this backdrop, our main disagreements are arising not with the Americans, but with the Europeans, who continue to take radical and ideologized positions in line with the…
Marco Rubio · United States
The U.S. secretary of state took part in the meeting and described Washington’s view of possible truces and a negotiated end to the war.
Rubio said both sides had expressed interest in limited truces involving grain and energy. He said a limited truce would not end the war but could address some issues and provide a basis for a broader agreement; ultimately, he said, the war would end through negotiation.
What they said · 4 source statements
“I think both sides have expressed an interest in some limited ceasefire that involves grain and energy [supplies].”
Andrii Sybiha · Ukraine
Ukraine’s foreign minister spoke for a country directly affected by the war.
Sybiha said Ukraine was ready for a full, unconditional ceasefire and accused Russia of blocking a ceasefire and peace. He called for stronger diplomatic efforts and pressure on Russia.
What they said · 3 source statements
We are ready for a full, unconditional ceasefire.
Russia vetoes not just a ceasefire. Russia vetoes peace.
the international community must step up diplomatic efforts to end the war, demand that Russia agree to a ceasefire, tighten sanctions and cut off its access to technology, as…
More than 50 UN member states
They issued a joint statement addressing demands to Russia.
They called on Russia to accept a complete, immediate and unconditional ceasefire and begin substantive peace negotiations.
What they said · 1 source statement
more than 50 UN member states issued a joint statement calling on Russia to agree to a complete, immediate, and unconditional ceasefire and to begin substantive peace negotiations.
Jean-Noël Barrot · France
The French foreign minister commented on support for the joint statement and its accusations against Russia.
Barrot said 51 of the 193 UN member states supported the statement and described its accusations against Russia as unsupported by evidence.
What they said · 1 source statement
Where accounts differ
Different readings
Whether fighting should stop during negotiations and what a ceasefire should involve
Lavrov said Russia would not pause its military operation during negotiations.
Evidence · 1 source statement
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.
Evidence · 2 source statements
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.
Evidence · 2 source statements
The statements differ over whether to halt fighting during talks and over the scope and purpose of a ceasefire. Rubio attributed interest in limited truces to separate U.S. communications with Russia and Ukraine; the statements from Lavrov and Sybiha describe different positions.
Accounts conflict
Number of supporters of the UN statement
A report citing Reuters described the statement as issued by 50 countries and the European Union.
Evidence · 1 source statement
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.
Evidence · 2 source statements
more than 50 UN member states called on Russia to agree to a complete, immediate, and unconditional ceasefire and to begin substantive peace negotiations.
The accounts give different counts, with one listing the European Union separately from the 50 countries.
How it unfolded
Lavrov arrived in New York to attend the UN General Assembly’s high-level week.
Evidence · 1 source statement
The Security Council debated a path to peace in Ukraine.
Evidence · 1 source statement
Today, the Security Council once again debates a path to peace
September 23, 2026 — Lavrov and Rubio met privately in New York during the General Assembly’s high-level week.
Evidence · 2 source statements
More than 50 UN member states called on Russia to accept a complete, immediate and unconditional ceasefire and begin substantive peace negotiations.
Evidence · 1 source statement
more than 50 UN member states issued a joint statement calling on Russia to agree to a complete, immediate, and unconditional ceasefire and to begin substantive peace negotiations.
September 26, 2026 (scheduled) — Lavrov was scheduled to address the General Assembly’s general political debate.
Evidence · 1 source statement
What was reported
Lavrov arrived in New York to attend the UN General Assembly’s high-level week.
One source: RIA Novosti
Evidence · 1 source statement
Lavrov and Rubio met in New York on September 23. The talks were private and began without opening remarks for the press.
Reported independently by 2: TASS, Yonhap News Agency
Evidence · 2 source statements
Reports described the meeting as lasting either 50 minutes or about an hour.
Reported independently by 2: RIA Novosti, Yonhap News Agency
Evidence · 2 source statements
The U.S. State Department said the meeting covered the Russia-Ukraine war and U.S.-Russia relations; TASS also reported discussion of several other regional issues.
Reported independently by 2: TASS, Yonhap News Agency
Evidence · 2 source statements
Besides, Lavrov and Rubio discussed "the situation in the Middle East, the South Caucasus, Latin America and the Caribbean."
The UN Security Council debated a path to peace in Ukraine; Russia, as a permanent member, can veto resolutions under discussion.
One source: UN News
Evidence · 2 source statements
Today, the Security Council once again debates a path to peace
any resolution still runs up against the veto of Russia, one of its own permanent members
Sybiha said 14 of the 15 Security Council members supported an immediate ceasefire in some form.
One source: Ukrinform
Evidence · 1 source statement
14 out of 15 Security Council members “in one way or another, an immediate ceasefire. Including four permanent members. Including the United States and China.”
More than 50 UN member states called on Russia to accept a complete, immediate and unconditional ceasefire and begin substantive peace negotiations.
One source: Ukrinform
Evidence · 1 source statement
more than 50 UN member states issued a joint statement calling on Russia to agree to a complete, immediate, and unconditional ceasefire and to begin substantive peace negotiations.
Lavrov was scheduled to address the General Assembly’s general political debate on September 26.
Reported independently by 2: RIA Novosti, TASS
Evidence · 2 source statements
The central event of the visit will be Lavrov’s address to the general political debate, scheduled for September 26.
How coverage differed
Russian state-media reports — Highlighted Lavrov’s position against pausing the military operation during talks, Russia’s stated terms for peace and its view of bilateral relations.
Ukrainian outlets — Highlighted Ukraine’s call for an unconditional ceasefire and the joint statement urging Russia to accept one.
UN News — Presented the Security Council discussion as a debate over a path to peace and noted Russia’s veto power.
Still unclear
No agreement or concrete outcome from the Lavrov-Rubio meeting was announced.
No terms or start date for the proposed limited truces were given.
Russia’s response to the joint statement’s ceasefire demand is not included.
The complete list of signatories to the joint statement is not given.
Not heard from
Ukrainian civilians affected by the war — They are directly affected by the conflict, but no civilians speak in the accounts summarized here.
The Security Council debated the war and a path to peace: Ukraine called for an immediate, unconditional ceasefire, while Russia said it would continue its military operation during negotiations and argued for a lasting settlement. The speakers also disputed the conflict’s history and the treatment of Russian speakers; a UN official warned that an incident threatening a nuclear facility could have catastrophic consequences.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met in New York on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly’s high-level week. They discussed the Ukraine war and bilateral relations, along with other regional issues; their talks were held privately.
After meeting Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters that Russia and Ukraine had shown interest in limited truces involving grain and energy, but said such a truce would not end the war. He also argued that Washington and Beijing should keep up high-level contact and addressed arms sales to Taiwan, Iran, and the U.S. defense commitment to Saudi Arabia.
A joint statement by more than 50 UN member states called on Russia to agree to a complete, immediate and unconditional ceasefire and begin substantive peace negotiations. Reports gave different counts for the supporters: one described 50 countries and the European Union, while French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said 51 of the 193 UN members supported the statement.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov was scheduled to represent Russia and address the UN General Assembly’s general political debate on September 26. Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said his speech would cover Russia’s approaches to current issues, assess the UN’s work and offer proposals to restore its standing and authority.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov arrived in New York with a delegation to attend the UN General Assembly. TASS said the government aircraft flew from Moscow by a northern route, taking 12 hours and 45 minutes.