Talks between Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio have concluded in Manila (the Philippines); they lasted 35 minutes, RIA Novosti reports.

According to the secretary of state’s schedule, about half an hour was allocated for the meeting with the Russian minister.

On the eve of the meeting, the Russian minister expressed confidence that it would in any case be useful and said that he would ask Rubio what position the United States currently holds on the settlement in Ukraine.

Rubio, for his part, said that he intends to discuss with Lavrov whether there is now an opportunity for the United States to play a constructive role in resolving the crisis.