Marco Rubio Discusses Conversation with Russian FM Sergey Lavrov on New START Treaty and War in Ukraine

Communication with Russia

• 💬 The U.S. maintains daily communications with Russia at various levels, not necessarily at the Secretary of State's level.
• 📌 These communications cover embassy operations and specific issues like the New START treaty.

New START Treaty Negotiations

• 🗓️ While there are no active negotiations for the New START treaty, which expires in February, there have been conversations about potential discussions.
• 🇺🇸 Russia has publicly expressed some interest in discussing the treaty, and the U.S. is considering this separately from the context of the war in Ukraine.

Relationship with Sergey Lavrov

• 🤝 Marco Rubio stated his last conversation with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov was about a month prior and characterized it as professional and productive.
• 🎯 Both sides agreed that any future meetings between the presidents must have a concrete result and a real chance of achieving something positive.
• 🕊️ While the U.S. desires an end to the war in Ukraine, meetings should not occur merely for the sake of having them; results are paramount.