Rubio says Russia and Ukraine show interest in limited ceasefire

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Russia and Ukraine had expressed interest in a limited ceasefire involving energy targets, and possibly grain, but no agreement or talks on terms were announced. The comments followed Rubio’s meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Wednesday, September 23. Rubio said the proposed arrangement would not resolve the war. He described reaching a limited ceasefire as difficult because both sides consider energy infrastructure strategically important. Accounts of his remarks differed on whether grain was included alongside energy, and the precise scope of any possible arrangement remains unclear. The U.S. State Department’s brief readout said Rubio and Lavrov discussed the Russia-Ukraine conflict and U.S.-Russia relations but did not mention a ceasefire. The reported interest in a limited arrangement therefore reflects Rubio’s account after the meeting, rather than announced terms agreed by Moscow and Kyiv. Lavrov said Russia would not pause its military operation while negotiations took place.