**US and Russia Discuss Future of Bilateral Relations Amid Ongoing Ukraine Conflict**
In a surprising move, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio held a phone call with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on May 17. According to reports from Russian state-controlled media, the American side initiated the conversation to discuss the future of bilateral contacts between Moscow and Washington.
**A Constructive Role by the US?**
Lavrov reportedly welcomed the US’s “constructive” role in encouraging Ukraine to accept President Vladimir Putin’s proposal to resume peace talks in Istanbul. The prisoner-of-war exchange was also highlighted as a positive development, with both sides working on outlining conditions for a potential ceasefire.
**Backlash from Ukraine**
The call came just a day after Ukrainian and Russian delegations met in Istanbul, but failed to reach a breakthrough. Ukraine had proposed an immediate ceasefire, a comprehensive prisoner-of-war exchange, and a face-to-face meeting between President Volodymyr Zelensky and Vladimir Putin. However, Moscow’s delegation demanded that Kyiv withdraw from four partially occupied Ukrainian oblasts that Russia claims as its own.
**Rubio’s Pessimistic Outlook**
Before the Istanbul peace talks, Rubio expressed doubts about the success of negotiations, describing the Russian delegation as “not indicative of one that’s going to lead to a major breakthrough.” He even joked that he hoped to be proven wrong, saying: “I hope I’m 100% wrong. I hope tomorrow the news says they’ve agreed to a ceasefire, they’ve agreed to enter serious negotiations.”
**The Way Forward?**
The phone call between Lavrov and Rubio marks a significant development in the US-Russia relationship amidst ongoing tensions over Ukraine. While it remains unclear what tangible progress was made during their conversation, one thing is certain: the international community is watching closely as the conflict continues to unfold.
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