23/09/23
By AfterPost
In another largely pointless face-to-face meeting, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met for *just over 50 minutes* in New York on Wednesday and ended with no deal on Ukraine.
The meeting, held behind closed doors at the Lotte Palace Hotel on the sidelines of the 80th UN General Assembly, *concluded without opening remarks for the press* — a sign of how tense expectations were.
*What Happened In The Room?*
According to APA and TASS, *Rubio and Lavrov sat with their delegations* with US Ambassador to UN Mike Waltz also present. The meeting lasted roughly 50 minutes. Lavrov didn't respond to questions as he left, including whether he was concerned about shift in tone from Trump.
US State Department readout was brutally short: Rubio "reiterated President Trump's call for the killing to stop and the need for Moscow to take meaningful steps toward a durable resolution of the Russia-Ukraine war."
Russian Foreign Ministry version was longer: Lavrov emphasized Moscow's readiness to adhere to the line established by Russian and US leaders in Alaska, including coordinating efforts to address root causes of Ukraine conflict. He also called out "unacceptable schemes promoted by Kiev and some European capitals aimed at prolonging the conflict".
Maria Zakharova, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, said talks were held in a "truly businesslike and constructive atmosphere. We discussed the agenda after Anchorage, paid attention to the situation around Ukraine."
Why Moscow Wanted This Meeting:
Ahead of the meeting, Moscow said it wanted to *clarify the State Department's position and assess Washington's mediation efforts*. This comes a day after President Donald Trump stunned the world by calling Russia a "paper tiger" and saying Ukraine could win back all its seized land.
Trump wrote on Truth Social on Tuesday: Russia is in "big economic trouble" and Ukraine is in position to "fight and win all of Ukraine back" with EU and NATO support.
Rubio, on Tuesday at UN Security Council, warned Washington's patience is not infinite and threatened additional economic costs if Moscow shows no interest in peaceful settlement.
Fifth Meeting Since 2025 — All Failed:
This was the *fifth face-to-face meeting between Lavrov and Rubio since February 2025*.
Timeline:
1. *February 2025 - Riyadh:* First official high-level US-Russia talks since full-scale invasion. Set channel for Ukraine.
2. *Sept 2025 - UNGA New York:* Rubio urged Moscow to halt bloodshed.
3. *July 23, 2026 - Kuala Lumpur:* On sidelines of ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting. Lasted 30-35 minutes, focused on Ukraine. Photos showed tense handshake.
4. *Aug 15, 2026 - Alaska:* Restricted three-on-three format at Trump-Putin summit in Anchorage. Led to no ceasefire.
5. *Sept 24, 2026 - New York:* 50+ minutes, same result.
Each meeting follows same pattern: short, closed doors, two conflicting readouts, no joint statement.
*Context: Trump-Zelensky Meeting Day Before*
The Lavrov-Rubio meeting came *24 hours after Trump met Zelensky at UN HQ* on Sept 22. Zelensky said they discussed ways to end war, including possible bilateral halt to strikes on energy facilities. Zelensky said he is ready for energy ceasefire if Russia agrees.
But last week Trump said Ukraine and Russia had allegedly agreed not to attack energy facilities — next day Russia struck gas stations in Kyiv while Ukraine hit refinery in Ufa 1,300km from border and Kuibyshev refinery in Samara.
Last week Lavrov said Russia would NOT halt hostilities during any potential negotiations.
Trump promised to end war after taking office in January 2025, but 20 months into his presidency goal remains unmet.
*What It Means:*
The 50-minute meeting shows Washington is still talking to Moscow even as Trump shifts tone to pro-Ukraine. Rubio said Trump believed engaging with counterparts was important even if it does not lead to agreement.
But substance zero. No energy ceasefire, no territorial map, no timeline for next Trump-Putin summit.
Lavrov flies to UNGA podium Saturday Sept 27 to give Russia's main speech. Rubio continues meetings with European foreign ministers on security and Arctic — Trump just signed US-Denmark-Greenland Infinite Life Agreement today morning.
For Ukraine, message is clear: US diplomatic track is alive but not delivering. Europe now pushing 3-year sanctions lock and €12bn drone wall while US talks drag.
*FAQ:*
Q: How long did Lavrov Rubio talks last?
A: More than 50 minutes, behind closed doors, no press remarks.
Q: What was main topic?
A: Russia's war against Ukraine and possible settlement, plus bilateral relations after Alaska summit.
Q: Was it successful?
A: No breakthrough. US says Rubio demanded meaningful steps. Russia says it wants root causes addressed.
Q: When was last Lavrov Rubio meeting?
A: July 23 in Manila/Kuala Lumpur on sidelines of ASEAN, lasted 30-35 minutes.
Full transcript as released — stay on AfterPost for UNGA live.