Russia has confirmed that its Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will not meet U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken at the upcoming United Nations General Assembly in New York, Russian officials said on Friday. Despite both diplomats attending the event, strained relations between Moscow and Washington have made dialogue unlikely.
Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov dismissed the possibility of talks between Lavrov and Blinken, stating, “Of course not. What is there to talk about with him?” This comes amid rising tensions between the two nations, particularly concerning the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
The UN General Assembly, which will see over 130 heads of state and government representatives in attendance, is taking place against a backdrop of unresolved global conflicts, including those in Ukraine, Gaza, Lebanon, and Sudan.
Although Russia faces extensive sanctions and travel restrictions due to its military actions in Ukraine, Moscow maintains that it is not isolated on the world stage. Ryabkov highlighted Lavrov’s “colossal programme of meetings” in New York, which will largely avoid the topic of Ukraine.
The strained relations between Russia and the U.S. extend beyond Ukraine, with disagreements also spanning issues related to Israel, Iran, and North Korea.