US-Russia Foreign Ministers to 'Break the Ice' in Kuala Lumpur? Russian FM to Meet US Secretary of State

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zakharova has stated that Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov and US Secretary of State Rubio are expected to meet during the series of ASEAN Foreign Ministers' meetings in Kuala Lumpur, with arrangements currently underway.

She told the Russian International News Agency:

"I can confirm that such a meeting is being arranged."

Lavrov's visit to Kuala Lumpur is to attend a series of ASEAN ministerial meetings held from July 10 to 11.

According to Zakharova, Lavrov is also expected to hold bilateral talks with multiple Asian partners, with related meetings set to take place on the sidelines of ASEAN-related activities.

Lavrov will attend the "Russia–ASEAN" meeting, the East Asia Summit (EAS), and the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF).

The permanent members of the East Asia Summit not only include the 10 ASEAN countries, but also China, Russia, the United States, and other dialogue partner countries.

ASEAN was founded in 1967, comprising 10 Southeast Asian nations: Brunei, Vietnam, Indonesia, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, and the Philippines.

Starting from 2025, Malaysia will serve as ASEAN's rotating chair for one year.

Meanwhile, Turkish Foreign Minister Fidan and Swiss Foreign Minister Cassis arrived in Kuala Lumpur this morning to attend the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting (AMM) and related high-level meetings.

Both Turkey and Switzerland are sectoral dialogue partners of ASEAN.

The aircraft carrying Fidan landed at Kuala Lumpur International Airport’s Hibiscus VIP Lounge at 2:30 a.m.; the plane with Cassis and his wife Paola Rodoni arrived at 12:44 a.m.

Also arriving this morning was Sri Lankan Minister of Foreign Affairs, Labor and Tourism Wijitha Herath and his delegation; they landed at the Hibiscus VIP Lounge at 6:31 a.m.