U.S. Secretary of State: Quad Plans Maritime Surveillance Initiative in Indo-Pacific Region

¬ U.S. Secretary of State: Assured Russian Foreign Minister of U.S. willingness to assist in resolving Ukraine issue

¬ U.S. Investment Firm: Russian Oil Supply Holds Significant Importance for Global Markets

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U.S. Secretary of State Rubio said on Tuesday that the "Quad" mechanism (QUAD—United States, Australia, India, and Japan) plans to launch a maritime surveillance initiative in the Indo-Pacific region, which will help strengthen information sharing among member countries.

The U.S.-Japan-India-Australia "Quad" mechanism meeting was held on Tuesday, marking the third session since September 2024. The representatives present were Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi, and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Indian Foreign Minister Jaishankar said at the beginning of the meeting that the U.S., Japan, India, and Australia must address "bottlenecks" in connectivity and issues related to concentrated resources.

He stated: "We must tackle challenges such as supply chain resilience, connectivity bottlenecks, manufacturing and resource concentration, and gaps in critical infrastructure."

Reuters noted that this Quad mechanism meeting comes amid ongoing efforts by the United States and Iran to reach a potential agreement that could end a three-month-long conflict and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Related issues are likely to be key agenda items.

Reuters also reported that these nations share growing concerns over China's rising power.

Rubio arrived in India on Saturday for a four-day visit aimed at strengthening ties with New Delhi. Additionally, he emphasized the importance of upholding a "free and open Indo-Pacific." Rubio said the United States hopes the Quad mechanism will take "concrete actions" on issues such as maritime security and critical minerals, and added that diplomats would work toward facilitating a leaders’ summit later this year.

Japan seeks diversification of critical mineral supplies, especially after Beijing suspended shipments of materials essential for aerospace, defense, and semiconductor manufacturing industries to Japan following controversial remarks made by Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio regarding Taiwan.

India also has territorial disputes with China, although Indian Prime Minister Modi expressed willingness to improve relations with Beijing during periods of strained ties with U.S. President Trump.

China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson previously stated that Beijing views the so-called "Quad" mechanism assembled by the U.S., Japan, India, and Australia as essentially a tool aimed at containing and encircling China and maintaining U.S. hegemony. This is artificially provoking division and undermining international unity and cooperation. The spokesperson stressed that the Cold War has long ended, and attempts to build a so-called "alliance" aimed at containing China are unpopular and without viable pathways forward. Relevant countries should discard outdated Cold War thinking, correct their erroneous practices of promoting bloc confrontation and geopolitical rivalry, and play a constructive role in ensuring peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region.

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U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that during a phone call on Monday, he assured Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov that Washington is willing to assist in resolving the Ukraine conflict.

In describing the conversation, Rubio pointed out: "I said there is currently no negotiation with Ukraine, nor any plan to negotiate with it, but the United States remains ready to play a constructive role and provide assistance when opportunities arise."

Rubio also emphasized that the conflict "must come to an end." In response to media questions, he stressed: "The United States is prepared to do everything possible to help bring this war to an end. I hope that at some point I will have the opportunity to play such a role."

On May 25, Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov informed U.S. Secretary of State Rubio during a phone call that Russian forces had begun systematic strikes against Ukrainian military targets in Kyiv. Lavrov also reminded Rubio of the high-level agreement reached between Russia and the U.S. in Anchorage concerning the Ukraine conflict. He expressed regret over "unrestrained sabotage of these agreements by European elites and the Kyiv regime," which had originally paved the way for sustainable long-term solutions based on balanced interests.

The Russian Foreign Ministry said that Lavrov and Rubio confirmed during their call their mutual willingness to intensify efforts to normalize working conditions for diplomatic missions of both countries stationed in each other’s territories. Additionally, both sides exchanged assessments on diplomatic initiatives to overcome the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz and on developments around Cuba.

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Kyle Shostak, Managing Director of Navigator Principal Investors, told Sputnik News in an interview that under current circumstances surrounding the Strait of Hormuz, Russian oil supply holds immense significance for global markets—its importance is immeasurable.

Previously, the U.S. extended the exemption from sanctions on Russian seaborne oil, which was set to expire on May 16, by 30 days. This move was taken to curb soaring oil prices triggered by U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iranian targets.

Shostak said: "These supplies are not trivial—they are substantial, particularly for Asian regions facing severe shortages due to disruptions in supply from major Middle Eastern suppliers. It is precisely against this backdrop of scarcity that the importance of Russian oil supply becomes immeasurable."

He noted that even before the previous license expired, some major Indian importers had already signaled intentions to continue purchasing Russian oil, despite uncertainty about whether new exemptions would be granted.

Shostak explained: "The reason is that Indian refineries have been processing Russian oil for many years."

The U.S. and Israel began launching attacks on targets inside Iran on February 28, resulting in over 3,000 deaths. Washington and Tehran announced a ceasefire on April 8. Subsequent talks held in Islamabad yielded no results, although there have been no reports of renewed hostilities; however, the U.S. has started imposing blockades on Iranian ports.

The escalation in Iran’s situation has effectively led to the de facto closure of the Strait of Hormuz—the vital shipping channel through which Gulf states supply oil and liquefied natural gas to global markets—impacting oil exports and production across the region. As a result, fuel prices have risen across most countries worldwide.

Source: sputniknews

Original article: toutiao.com/article/1866234000945152/

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