KYIV/MOSCOW/KUALA LUMPUR – US defense assistance to Ukraine, which had been reportedly suspended, is now back, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said on Friday.

"As of today, defense support continues. We are grateful to the US side for its clear signals regarding the continuation and potential strengthening of defense support for Ukraine," ministry spokesman Heorhiy Tykhyi was quoted as saying by the Interfax-Ukraine news agency.

He also said Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha is scheduled to talk with the US representatives later in the day.

Earlier this month, the US media outlet Politico reported that Washington had halted shipments of some air defense missiles and other precision munitions to Ukraine over allegedly low stockpiles. The Ukrainian Defense Ministry has requested a conversation with the United States to clarify the reports.

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US President Donald Trump said on Monday that his country would provide Kyiv with "some more weapons," including some "defensive" ones, according to media reports.  

'US disappointed over Russia'

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, meanwhile, said on Thursday that he had expressed "disappointment and frustration" to Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov over the lack of progress on resolving the conflict with Ukraine.

Rubio made the remarks after a 50-minute meeting with Lavrov on the sidelines of the 58th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Kuala Lumpur. The visit marked his first trip to Asia since taking office as the US top diplomat.

Rubio told reporters that the two sides had a frank and important exchange, during which he reiterated President Trump's disappointment with what he called Russia's lack of flexibility.

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"We need to see a roadmap moving forward on how this conflict can be brought to an end," he said.

On the same day, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement that Lavrov and Rubio held a substantive and frank exchange of views on the Ukraine crisis, along with several other international issues.

"They have reaffirmed mutual commitment to searching for peaceful solutions to conflict situations and resuming Russian-US economic and humanitarian cooperation and unhindered ties between their countries' societies, which could be promoted by the resumption of direct flights," it said, adding the two sides also stressed the need to continue efforts to normalize the work of bilateral diplomatic missions.

"It has been agreed to continue constructive dialogue on a growing number of issues of mutual interest based on mutual respect between the Russian and US foreign policy offices," it said.

Rubio and Lavrov last met in Saudi Arabia during negotiations between Russian and US delegations earlier this year. Their latest talks came amid heightened tensions between the two countries, particularly over the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

People trapped under rubble in Kherson

Dozens of people were trapped under the rubble of a residential building in the town of Aleshki in Kherson region following an airstrike by Ukrainian forces, Governor Vladimir Saldo said on his Telegram channel on Friday.

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Two aerial bombs hit the building at approximately 16:00 Moscow time, causing its collapse, he said, adding that the exact number of casualties remains undetermined.

Ukrainian drones continued to hover over the site, making it impossible for rescue workers and municipal services to begin clearing the debris safely, he added.