US, Russia Discuss New Approach to Ukraine Amid Renewed Attacks

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov at the ASEAN summit to discuss a "new and different" approach proposed by Russia to end the war in Ukraine, which Rubio said he would present to President Donald Trump for consideration. Rubio acknowledged that while the approach does not guarantee peace, it could potentially open a path forward, amid ongoing frustration over Russia's lack of flexibility and the continued escalation of attacks on Ukraine. Despite intensified Russian assaults and stalled ceasefire efforts, the Trump administration has neither imposed new sanctions nor significantly increased military aid to Kyiv, with some arms shipments reportedly resuming after a brief Pentagon pause. Rubio commended Trump for maintaining direct communications with Russian President Vladimir Putin, stating it deserves credit given the absence of similar efforts by previous leaders. The meeting also emphasized the need for a clear roadmap to conclude the conflict and discussed broader issues including restoring economic and humanitarian cooperation between the U.S. and Russia. Meanwhile, Russia carried out large-scale drone and missile strikes on Kyiv and other Ukrainian regions, reflecting the ongoing severity of the conflict.