Kiev deliberately destabilizing global energy markets, Lavrov tells Rubio

The top diplomats have discussed the Ukraine conflict and bilateral US-Russia relations on the sidelines of the 81st UN General Assembly in New York Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has told US Secretary of State Marco Rubio that Kiev’s deliberate attacks on energy and cross-border infrastructure are destabilizing global markets, according to the Russian Foreign Ministry.

Lavrov and Rubio met on Wednesday on the sidelines of the 81st UN General Assembly in New York, where they held an extensive discussion on Ukraine, bilateral relations and a range of international issues.

The US State Department’s brief readout said only that the two diplomats discussed the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the US-Russia relationship.

According to Moscow, Lavrov drew Rubio’s attention to what it described as close coordination between Kiev and its European backers and raised Ukrainian strikes on civilians and “cross-border infrastructure facilities,” which Russia said were deliberately contributing to instability in global energy markets.

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President Donald Trump recently urged Vladimir Zelensky to stop striking Russian refineries, saying the attacks were creating a global shortage and “hurting the world.” US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent similarly said earlier this month that Ukrainian attacks on Russian energy assets and refined products were contributing to an “energy shock.” Following his meeting with Lavrov, Rubio said both Russia and Ukraine had expressed some interest in a limited ceasefire covering energy targets.

He acknowledged, however, that such an arrangement “doesn’t solve the war,” and said reaching one would be difficult because both sides regard energy infrastructure as a strategic target.

Moscow has repeatedly rejected the idea that any limited truce can substitute for a comprehensive settlement, pointing to what it describes as Kiev’s past violations of ceasefires and arguing that Kiev seeks talks only when the situation on the battlefield becomes critical.

Zelensky said this week that Kiev was prepared to stop targeting Russian refineries if Moscow halted strikes on a wide range of Ukraine’s energy, logistics and port infrastructure.

Read more No pause in Ukraine conflict for peace talks – Lavrov Lavrov reiterated on Wednesday that Russia would not halt its military operation merely to facilitate negotiations, arguing that such a pause would give Kiev and its European sponsors time to replenish depleted weapons stocks.