Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov held a phone conversation today with his American counterpart, Marco Rubio, primarily focusing on the upcoming round of talks with Ukraine scheduled to take place in Constantinople, according to a statement released by the Russian Foreign Ministry.
“The two sides discussed the situation related to the Ukrainian crisis,” the ministry said, adding that the officials “exchanged views on various initiatives aimed at a political settlement of the crisis, particularly plans to resume direct negotiations between Russia and Ukraineon June 2.”
The phone call came shortly after an unprecedented attack by Ukrainian drones on Russian Air Force assets over the weekend.
Lavrov and Rubio have held several phone conversations in recent weeks, underscoring the heightened diplomatic activity surrounding the conflict.
On Wednesday, Russia’s top diplomat had already outlined Moscow’s preparations for the Constantinople talks.
According to Russian news agencies citing the Foreign Ministry, Rubio also expressed his “sincere condolences for the innocent victims” of two train accidents caused by the collapse of bridges in Russia’s Kursk and Bryansk regions on Sunday. Russian authorities believe the bridges were blown up in separate incidents near the Ukrainian border, though no direct link to Kyiv has yet been established.
Officials reported that at least seven people were killed and 69 injured in the explosions. Russian authorities have launched investigations into the incidents, suspecting “terrorist acts.”
The Russian Foreign Ministry stated that a thorough investigation is underway: “The perpetrators will be found and punished accordingly,” it said.
Source: ANA-MPA, Translated by: Konstantinos Menyktas
