Lavrov, Rubio agree to maintain contact, prepare for Putin-Trump summit

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio agreed during a phone talk to maintain regular contact, including preparations for a potential meeting between President Vladimir Putin and President Donald Trump, the Russian Foreign Ministry said Saturday.

Both sides pledged to keep communication channels open to address accumulated issues in bilateral relations, particularly to "eliminate unilateral obstacles inherited from the previous U.S. administration that hinder mutually beneficial cooperation in trade, economy and investment," the ministry said in a statement.

It said the two sides agreed to convene an expert-level meeting in the near future to outline specific measures aimed at resolving operational challenges faced by their diplomatic missions in each other's country.

Meanwhile, the two top diplomats expressed willingness to collaborate on pressing international matters, including the Ukraine conflict, the Palestinian situation, and broader stability in the Middle East and other regions.

"Both sides affirmed their commitment to act in accordance with the framework established by their presidents, pledging joint efforts to revive a mutually respectful dialogue between the two nations," said the statement.