The meeting between Secretary Rubio and Lavrov lasted about 35 minutes, according to reports.
Russian Telegram channels say that Lavrov told Rubio Moscow was ready to follow the suggestions voiced in Anchorage (in June, Rubio said no agreements were reached there).
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Anton Gerashchenko (@Gerashchenko_en)Lavrov on tomorrow’s meeting with US Secretary of State Rubio:“As for President Trump’s predictions about the war in Ukraine moving closer to a settlement, I’ll ask Marco Rubio about that tomorrow.”
Lavrov will meet with Rubio for the first time in nearly a year.
The meeting is reportedly scheduled for Thursday, July 23, in Manila, where the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Forum is taking place.
The face-to-face talks between Lavrov and Rubio – the first since last September – will, according to Lavrov, focus on Ukraine and the Anchorage agreements, which, as the Kremlin claimed, were reached by Putin and President Trump.
“We are proceeding on the assumption that, at least for now, our American colleagues have not rejected their own proposals, which were put forward and are now well known to everyone,” Lavrov said.
Lavrov will likely bring a tougher stance from the Kremlin to the talks with Rubio; according to Bloomberg sources in Moscow, the Kremlin has decided to abandon the idea of a “territorial swap” with Kyiv.
According to the agency’s sources, Putin no longer intends to relinquish parts of the Sumy and Kharkiv regions, which he now plans to retain as a buffer zone.
According to Bloomberg sources, Putin still believes he will capture the entire Donbas by the end of this year and does not plan to engage in negotiations until that happens.
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— https://x.com/Gerashchenko_en/status/2079885927808135640— @Gerashchenko_en Jul 23, 2026
Month: July 2026
#Iran BOMBARDS #CIA Bases With Precision; U.S. In Shock Over Precision Strikes With ‘ #Russia‘s Help’ – YouTube youtube.com/watch?v=fIzlwGAX…
— Michael Novakhov (@mikenov) Jul 23, 2026
India is importing record volumes of Russian oil, effectively becoming Moscow’s largest remaining market for crude exports, according to Bloomberg.
In June, Indian ports received more than 2.3 million barrels of Russian oil per day. Reuters estimates the figure even higher, at 2.64 million barrels per day—roughly half of India’s total oil imports for the month. Russian crude has increasingly replaced supplies from the Middle East, which have been disrupted by the conflict with Iran and shipping constraints in the Strait of Hormuz.
Analysts say Indian demand has become a critical lifeline for Russia, allowing Moscow to maintain oil production and exports despite losing much of the European market. However, record export volumes have not translated into record profits, as Russian oil continues to be sold at a discount, while intermediaries, shipping costs, and sanctions-evasion mechanisms absorb a significant share of the revenue.
India’s refining sector has emerged as one of the biggest beneficiaries. Refineries purchase discounted Russian crude, process it, and export gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel as Indian products. In July, India’s petroleum product exports are expected to reach 1.4 million barrels per day—nearly 50% higher than in May—allowing Indian refiners to capture profit margins previously earned elsewhere.
At the same time, India’s reliance on Russian oil has deepened. Russian crude now accounts for about 41% of the country’s oil imports, while the Middle East’s share has declined to 31%. Analysts note that this gives New Delhi considerable leverage in negotiations with Moscow but also increases its exposure to sanctions risks and potential policy changes in Washington.
The U.S. Congress is currently considering tariffs of up to 100% on major buyers of Russian energy exports, with India expected to be among the primary targets if such measures are adopted.
More broadly, analysts say the surge in Indian imports underscores that Russia’s oil isolation remains incomplete. While Europe has largely stopped buying Russian crude directly, the oil continues to reach global markets through Asia before being re-exported as refined petroleum products, helping preserve global supply while continuing to generate revenue for the Kremlin.
United24India is importing Russian oil in record quantities, refining it, and reselling gasoline, diesel, and kerosene at high profits. As Russia continues its war, money keeps flowing to the Kremlin.
Those who reap billions in profits from cheap Russian oil are profiting from a war that is costing countless lives.India loves blood money.
— @jurgen_nauditt Jul 23, 2026
US investigating #Russia-n assistance to #Iran during targeting of #CIA bases | The Jerusalem Post jpost.com/middle-east/iran-n…
— Michael Novakhov (@mikenov) Jul 23, 2026
EXCLUSIVE: #Iran strikes on #CIA facilities prompt questions about possible #Russia-n role | Reuters reuters.com/world/middle-eas…
— Michael Novakhov (@mikenov) Jul 23, 2026
Breaking:
Denmark says it will trade in Yaun c
Currency globally instead of the US dollar— @_MegaPolitics Jul 23, 2026
And that’s it? Russian-American talks have ended
The “historic” meeting between Lavrov and Rubio in the Philippines lasted only 35 minutes.
It’s impossible to discuss anything truly serious in that amount of time.
One can assume that Lavrov, as usual, started repeating the same talking points about “denazification” and “demilitarization” of Ukraine — and Rubio simply got tired of hearing it for the hundredth time.NEXTA (@nexta_tv)A meeting between Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has begun in Manila.
The main topic of the talks is the war in Ukraine.
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— https://x.com/nexta_tv/status/2080141202041495684— @nexta_tv Jul 23, 2026
“Russia’s Daily Disaster Report: July 23 Edition”
Ukraine’s General Staff has dropped the latest numbers, and let’s just say: Russia had another terrible day at the office.
1,460 troops lost in 24 hours — and the total since February 2022 is now an almost surreal 1,434,690. That’s not an army. That’s a statistical tragedy.Equipment losses? A shopping list from hell: – 28 tanks – 12 armored vehicles – 78 artillery systems – 1,688 drones (yes, in one day) – 541 vehicles Plus assorted rockets, special gear and the usual “nothing new in the air today.”
Ukraine stresses these are their estimates — independent sources confirm thousands of named Russian deaths, but totals differ. Still, the trend is clear: Russia keeps losing gear faster than they can paint Z on it.— @jalle51 Jul 23, 2026
Iranian drone attacks on #CIA facilities in the Gulf have prompted US #intelligence analysts to investigate whether #Russia assisted by providing targeting information. reuters.com/world/middle-eas…
— @HarZizn Jul 23, 2026
BREAKING:
Yemen’s Houthis say it will close all doors of Red Sea for Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia also seeks military support from the US against Iran and Houthis if they pose danger to it
Pakistan is also a key strategic partner of Saudi Arabia.
— @World_Affairs11 Jul 23, 2026