Moscow: Russian Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov, and US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, held a phone conversation on Monday, focusing on several pressing international matters, including the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, and the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz.

According to Qatar News Agency, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the two leaders exchanged views on diplomatic strategies to address the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz, the situation involving Cuba, and the conflict in Ukraine. Lavrov informed Rubio that, following directives from Russian President Vladimir Putin, the Russian military would systematically target locations utilized by Ukraine's armed forces in Kyiv and other decision-making centers. This move was characterized as a response to Ukraine's persistent assaults on civilian populations and infrastructure within Russia.

The Ministry further noted that Lavrov reminded Rubio of the high-level agreements made in Anchorage in August 2025 concerning the Ukrainian conflict. Both ministers emphasized their shared commitment to enhancing efforts to normalize the operations of Russian and US diplomatic missions in their respective countries.