Senior US and Russian diplomats held talks in Manila focused on the Russia-Ukraine war, during which Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov reaffirmed readiness for a political and diplomatic settlement.
Key facts
- Top US and Russian diplomats met in Manila to discuss the Russia-Ukraine war.
- Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov reaffirmed readiness for a political and diplomatic settlement.
- The meeting was reported by Al Jazeera on July 23, 2026.
Senior diplomats from the United States and Russia met in Manila to discuss the ongoing war in Ukraine, according to Al Jazeera. The talks brought together top officials from the two countries at a time of continued conflict.
During the discussions, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov “reaffirmed readiness” for a political and diplomatic settlement to the Russia-Ukraine war, Al Jazeera reported.
The meeting in the Philippine capital marked another point of direct engagement between the two governments over the conflict, which has drawn sustained international attention.
Al Jazeera published its report on the Manila talks on July 23, 2026. Beyond Lavrov’s stated readiness for a settlement, further details of the discussions were not provided in the source.
Why it matters
Direct contact between US and Russian diplomats is closely watched as a potential avenue toward ending the war in Ukraine. Any signal of readiness for a diplomatic settlement can shape expectations among governments and observers following the conflict.
Frequently asked questions
Who met in Manila to discuss the Ukraine war?
Top US and Russian diplomats met in Manila, including Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, according to Al Jazeera.
What did Russia say about a settlement?
According to Al Jazeera, Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov reaffirmed readiness for a political and diplomatic settlement to the Russia-Ukraine war.

