In an interview on state television, Lavrov said Russia was willing to engage with the United States or with Turkey on ways to end the war, now in its eight month, but had yet to receive any serious proposal to negotiate.

His emphasis on Russia's receptiveness to talks came after a series of stinging defeats since the start of September that have swung the momentum of the conflict in favour of Ukraine.

Lavrov said officials, including White House national security spokesman John Kirby, had said the United States was open to talks but that Russia had refused.

"This is a lie," Lavrov said. "We have not received any serious offers to make contact."

State Department spokesperson Ned Price said Washington had "very little confidence" that Russia was making a legitimate offer to talk because Lavrov's comments came within hours of Russian missile strikes that killed civilians in Ukraine.

"We see this as posturing. We do not see this as a constructive, legitimate offer to engage in the dialogue and diplomacy that is absolutely necessary to see an end to this brutal war of aggression," Price said during a regular media briefing.

Talks to end the war would ultimately have to be between Ukraine and Russia, Price said.

"If the Russians want to signal that they are serious about dialogue and diplomacy ... perhaps a good first step would be to stop the kind of brutal assault followed by what appeared to be nothing more than empty words," he said.

Lavrov also said Russia would not turn down a meeting between President Vladimir Putin and US President Joe Biden at a mid-November summit of the Group of 20 in Indonesia, and would consider the proposal if it received one.

"We have repeatedly said that we never refuse meetings. If there is a proposal, then we will consider it," Lavrov said.

Australian Associated Press