According to CNN television channel, the scheduled meeting has been postponed for the time being. However, CNN noted that it is unclear why the meeting will not be held this week.
Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said on Monday that no agreement had been reached on the time and place of talks between the two countries’ top diplomats and that everything was still under consideration.
According to CNN sources, Lavrov and Rubio disagree on how to peacefully resolve the Ukraine conflict. Additionally, CNN said it was still unclear how the indefinite postponement of the meeting would affect the upcoming meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump in Budapest.
After the diplomats’ phone conversation, CNN noted that U.S. officials concluded that Russia’s position on Ukraine had not changed. At this point, Rubio is unlikely to recommend a meeting between Putin and Trump next week. However, he and Lavrov may speak by phone again this week.
The Russian Foreign Ministry previously announced that Lavrov and Rubio discussed possible concrete steps to implement the understanding reached during Putin and Trump’s Oct. 16 phone call. After speaking with Putin, Trump said they had agreed to meet soon in Budapest. Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said Russia and the United States would immediately begin preparations for new talks between the leaders, which could be held in the Hungarian capital.
MNA