US Secretary Rubio Confronts Russia on Ukraine, Faces Tariff Backlash at ASEAN Summit

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia – U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio today held a high-stakes meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Kuala Lumpur, as global tensions escalate over Moscow’s intensifying attacks on Ukraine. The encounter, their second in-person discussion since Rubio assumed office, took place on the sidelines of the annual Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Regional Forum.

The meeting follows the recent resumption of U.S. defensive weapon shipments to Ukraine, a decision President Donald Trump publicly justified by stating, “Putin is not, he’s not treating human beings right. It’s killing too many people.”

Rubio’s critical first official trip to Asia, however, is largely overshadowed by the Trump administration’s impending tariff threats. Set to take effect on August 1, these tariffs could significantly impact eight of ASEAN’s ten member states, including Malaysia, Brunei, the Philippines, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, and Thailand, with proposed hikes ranging from 20% to 40%.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has openly criticized the use of trade as a “weapon” to coerce weaker nations, reflecting a broader regional unease. While Washington aims to focus on maritime security in the South China Sea and combating transnational crime, the tariff issue remains a dominant point of contention, challenging U.S. diplomatic efforts.

Amidst these complex discussions, Secretary Rubio also signed a memorandum on civilian nuclear energy cooperation with Malaysia, laying the groundwork for a more formal nuclear cooperation agreement.

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