Ukraine, bilateral agenda, economic matters to be addressed in Lavrov-Rubio contact - Russian deputy FM

MOSCOW. Oct 20 (Interfax) - Ukraine, the bilateral agenda and economic matters may be discussed at the pending meeting of Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

"Of course, issues of the special military operation and the course pursued by the Western group to support Ukraine, which we cannot be satisfied with, are in the focus of attention. We have many other issues on the bilateral agenda. I do not rule out economic matters too, as they also require attention," Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov told the press in Moscow when asked what topics might be addressed at the upcoming Lavrov-Rubio meeting.

"Most importantly, we need to convey to the Americans now that Anchorage set a framework to be worked within. We have no alternative here: what has taken shape and has been formulated by the presidents is what we should rely on in further efforts. The agenda may be artificially expanded with other topics, which are important but take time, but it is a question how much this can help pursue the main course in the areas I have mentioned," he said.

Meanwhile, the venue of a meeting between Lavrov and Rubio has not been determined yet, Ryabkov said.

"Absolutely no such understanding. It's all in the process of being considered," Ryabkov told reporters.

However, the coordination of a phone call of Lavrov and Rubio may be at a more advanced stage than preparations for their meeting, Ryabkov said.

"It is approaching. Unlike the in-person meeting, coordination of this issue has reached a more advanced stage," Ryabkov told the press.