Rubio Open to Meeting Russian, Chinese Counterparts at ASEAN Summit

U.S. Senator Marco Rubio stated he is open to meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi during the upcoming ASEAN summit in Manila. The potential meetings occur at a time of heightened U.S. scrutiny of China's growing influence in the region and following recent U.S. accusations of Chinese interference in American elections.

"We would be open to meeting with them," Rubio told reporters when asked about planned encounters with Lavrov and Wang Yi. He added, "I would certainly never tell you at a press conference what we would discuss in such meetings. These are sensitive matters."

Rubio previously met with Wang Yi on the sidelines of an ASEAN meeting in Kuala Lumpur last year. They also held a phone conversation after President Donald Trump's visit to China in the spring. This trip marks Rubio's first visit to the Philippines as acting Secretary of State, a region facing economic tensions exacerbated by renewed conflict between the U.S. and Iran.

U.S. diplomacy chief stated on Sunday that ASEAN is "our primary way to engage with the region." He confirmed his participation in several bilateral meetings and sessions with the Quad members: India, Japan, and Australia.