Russian attacks kill eight people across Ukraine as US steps up diplomacy
US and Russia engage in urgent talks to reduce war’s impact on global energy during UN General Assembly.

US and Russia engage in urgent talks to reduce war’s impact on global energy during UN General Assembly.







![US Secretary of State Marco Rubio (L) talks to Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov at the 58th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Foreign Ministers meeting [Fazry Ismail/EPA]](/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/13186137-1752215782.jpg?resize=770%2C513&quality=80)
![US Secretary of State Marco Rubio (L) meets with Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov (R) on the sidelines of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' meeting at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre in Kuala Lumpur on July 10, 2025. [Mandel Ngan/AFP]](/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/000_66DR3YL-1752150032.jpg?resize=770%2C513&quality=80)
From China to Iran, several countries have already been engaging with the Taliban. Experts say they could be next.
The renewed diplomatic push comes under growing pressure from Trump and heavy bombardments.
Zelenskyy accuses the US of ending Moscow’s isolation as the US and Russia discuss ending Ukraine war and reviving ties.
Ukraine’s Zelenskyy warns that ‘fragile ceasefire’ with Russia would be a ‘prelude’ to another war launched by Moscow.
Vladimir Putin and top Russian diplomat Sergey Lavrov have said a deferral in Ukraine’s NATO entry won’t be enough.
Russian foreign minister says Moscow will do ‘everything not to allow terrorists to prevail’, as Syrian rebels advance.
As the war enters its 985th day, these are the main developments.
Ministers of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania say presence of Sergey Lavrov risks legitimising Russian war in Ukraine.
Foreign minister says efforts to blame Iran for the conflict are provocations.