TL;DR: On October 20, 2025, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio held a “constructive” call to prepare for an upcoming Putin-Trump summit in Budapest. The call followed a phone conversation between the two presidents on October 16, where they agreed to seek a resolution to the Russia-Ukraine conflict. While both sides confirmed ongoing coordination, an in-person Lavrov-Rubio meeting was postponed. Kyiv has expressed openness to join the summit if invited. The diplomatic engagement signals cautious optimism amid continued tensions.
🕊️ Lavrov-Rubio Call (Oct 20, 2025): Overview
- Participants: Russian FM Sergey Lavrov & U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio
- Purpose: Preparatory call for the upcoming Putin-Trump summit in Budapest, following their Oct 16 phone call
- Tone: Described by Russia as "constructive", aimed at exploring "concrete steps" toward peace and improving U.S.-Russia relations
🗣️ Key Focus Areas
- Russia-Ukraine War:
- Rubio stressed aligning efforts with Trump's vision for peace
- Moscow emphasized the need to discuss a durable settlement and broader bilateral issues
- Summit Planning:
- Trump and Putin agreed to meet soon in Budapest for their second summit in 2025
- Lavrov-Rubio tasked with laying groundwork; an in-person meeting was planned for Oct 23 but postponed
- A follow-up call likely soon
📍 Context and Background
- Putin-Trump Call (Oct 16):
- First direct talk in nearly 2 months
- Agreed on the need for direct diplomacy and chose Budapest as the venue (symbolically neutral, pro-Moscow tilt via Orban)
- Assigned Lavrov & Rubio to coordinate summit details
- Diplomatic Track Record:
- Rubio confirmed as 72nd Secretary of State under Trump
- Lavrov & Rubio have spoken multiple times in 2025 and met once in Saudi Arabia (Feb)
🇺🇦 Ukraine’s Position
- Zelensky met Trump at the White House (Oct 17), no breakthrough reported
- Kyiv is open to attending the Budapest summit if invited
- Zelensky suggests “shuttle diplomacy” model to include Ukrainian input
📡 Media & Reactions
- First reported by RT on Oct 20 (2:36 PM GMT), confirmed by Russian MFA and U.S. State Department
- Outlets like CNN, The Hindu, Al Arabiya covered the story; analysts call it a “rare diplomatic opening”
- Lavrov-Rubio meeting delayed, but communication lines remain open
🧭 Strategic Takeaways
- Summit Location: Budapest chosen for its NATO membership but pro-Russian leadership, offering symbolic neutrality
- Broader Goals: Russia seeks economic normalization along with peace in Ukraine
- Cautious Optimism: While concrete outcomes are unclear, the call indicates seriousness on both sides about restarting diplomatic engagement