Russia and Ukraine signal interest in limited ceasefire, Marco Rubio says

Russia and Ukraine have both expressed interest in a limited ceasefire covering grain and energy, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Wednesday.

Rubio made the comments after meeting Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

“We would be open to playing a constructive role in making that happen,” Rubio said, according to Reuters.

The proposal could represent a limited step towards reducing attacks affecting energy infrastructure and grain supplies as the war between Russia and Ukraine continues.

Rubio and Lavrov met as world leaders and senior officials gathered in New York for the UN General Assembly debate.

Earlier on Wednesday, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Moscow did not believe there were currently grounds for peace negotiations with Ukraine, although he said Russia remained open to talks in principle.

No agreement on the proposed ceasefire was announced following the meeting, and Rubio did not provide details on when or how such an arrangement could take effect.