Russia Warns US Over Ukraine Arms Sales During High-Level Manila Talks

Russia has issued a fresh warning to the United States over continued military assistance to Ukraine, saying further arms supplies risk prolonging the conflict and increasing global tensions.

The warning came during a high-level meeting between Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on the sidelines of regional diplomatic engagements in Manila. According to reports by Reuters, Lavrov urged Washington to reconsider its military support for Kyiv, arguing that the flow of advanced weapons only fuels the war instead of creating room for peace negotiations.

The United States, however, maintained its position that military assistance to Ukraine remains necessary to help the country defend itself against Russia’s invasion. US officials have repeatedly stated that support for Kyiv will continue while diplomatic efforts to end the conflict remain ongoing.

The Manila meeting marked another rare face-to-face engagement between senior officials from both countries amid strained relations over the war in Ukraine, sanctions, and broader geopolitical disputes.

Despite the exchange of warnings, both sides reportedly acknowledged the importance of keeping diplomatic communication channels open, even as disagreements over the conflict remain unresolved.

The latest development comes as the war in Ukraine continues to shape global security discussions, with Western allies pledging additional military support while Moscow insists such actions only deepen the crisis.

Source: Reuters, as reported by Al Jazeera and other international news outlets.