Rubio, Lavrov discuss Ukraine, Iran, U.S.-Russia relations - State Dept

WASHINGTON. May 26 (Interfax) - U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov have had a phone call, the U.S. Department of State said.

"The parties exchanged views on the Russia-Ukraine war, bilateral relations, and the situation in Iran," it said.

The Russian Foreign Ministry said earlier that Lavrov spoke with Rubio on the phone on Monday.

"On instructions from Russian President [Vladimir] Putin, Lavrov officially informed the American side that, in retaliation to the Kiev regime's ongoing terrorist attacks against civilians and civilian facilities on Russian territory, the Russian Armed Forces are beginning systematic and consistent strikes on targets in Kiev used by the Ukrainian Armed Forces and on the corresponding decision-making centers," the ministry said in a statement published on its website.

Lavrov drew attention to the ministry's statement of May 25, in which the United States, along with other countries with diplomatic missions in Kiev, recommended ensuring the evacuation of their diplomatic staff and other citizens from the Ukrainian capital, the statement said.

Lavrov "recalled the agreements reached at the top level in Anchorage in August 2025, at the U.S. proposal, regarding the Ukraine conflict and expressed regret that brazen efforts by the European elites and the Kiev regime are undermining these agreements, which paved the way for a sustainable and long-term settlement based on a balance of interests," it said.

"The foreign policy chiefs exchanged assessments of diplomatic initiatives to resolve the Strait of Hormuz crisis and the situation around Cuba," the statement said.

Lavrov and Rubio reaffirmed their mutual commitment, despite known differences, to intensify efforts to normalize the working conditions for Russian and U.S. diplomatic missions on each other's territory, it said.