Manila Meeting Between Rubio and Lavrov: Ukrainian Adviser Calls It a Waste of Time.

US-Russia Talks Set for Manila

According to UATV: On July 23, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov are scheduled to meet in Manila. This high-profile encounter has drawn global attention, as tensions between Washington and Moscow remain at elevated levels.

Mykhailo Podolyak, an adviser to the Ukrainian President’s Office, shared his assessment of the upcoming talks on July 22. He argued that

'This is not a person with any real connection to a foreign ministry—because Russia’s foreign ministry effectively no longer exists. What remains is a ministry of external propaganda and external lies, nothing more.' - Mykhailo Podolyak

Podolyak further urged 'our American colleagues to keep increasing pressure, even if it’s just informational and diplomatic pressure.'

He also remarked that 'any meeting with Lavrov is simply a waste of time spent listening to the droning monologues of an old man.' These comments reflect deep skepticism from Ukraine regarding the potential for productive outcomes from US-Russia negotiations, especially amid ongoing international conflicts.

Geopolitical Context

Against this backdrop, the Rubio-Lavrov meeting is taking place at a pivotal moment in global affairs, and reactions to it have already sparked debate among analysts.

The talks are expected to be significant for the future trajectory of US-Russia relations and could have implications for Ukraine as well as broader geopolitical dynamics. With tensions escalating between the two powers, such diplomatic engagements provoke mixed reactions—including wariness from nations directly affected by the conflicts. Observers continue to monitor the situation closely, anticipating possible outcomes from the meeting and their impact on international policy.