However, he emphasized that this marked the start of a dialogue rather than the conclusion, cautioning that substantial efforts remained necessary for progress.
Lavrov agreed with Rubio’s sentiments, describing the conversation as productive.
He noted, “We not only listened but also heard each other,” highlighting the importance of mutual understanding in addressing the complex issues at hand.
Ukraine, European allies not happy
Notably absent from the meeting were Ukrainian representatives, a fact that has drawn criticism from Kyiv.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed dissatisfaction with the discussions occurring without Ukraine’s involvement, stating that the country would not accept any agreements from the talks.