U.S. Secretary of State Kerry in Russia for talks with Putin

John Kerry (picture left) has arrived in Russia for talks with President Vladimir Putin (right) and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov that are expected to focus on the crises in Ukraine and Syria. The U.S. Secretary of State flew to the Black Sea resort of Sochi for the highest-level U.S. visit to Russia since the outbreak of the conflict in Ukraine. The 71-year-old laid a wreath at a Second World War memorial before travelling to the talks. Relations between the two countries have been at their worst since the Cold War, with both attacking each other over involvement in the Ukraine crisis.

It’s important for us to keep these lines of communication open. It’s important to try to talk to the senior decision-maker.

State Department official, speaking before the one-day talks

Mr Putin’s spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, said the meeting was a positive step. He said: “Through dialogue, it is possible to find ways for a normalisation, closer co-ordination in dealing with international problems.” Moscow has accused the U.S. of orchestrating the overthrow of former Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukovych, a Russian ally, last year. Washington has accused Russia of failing to withdraw heavy equipment, including tanks and artillery, from eastern Ukraine in violation of a peace plan agreed in Minsk in February. Economic sanctions have been imposed on Russia after it annexed the Crimea region in March and have been tightened since. Both countries also disagree over the civil war in Syria, with Russia backing President Bashar al Assad. And Mr Kerry is expected to raise the issue of a planned transfer of air defence system technology to Iran.

We have repeatedly stated at various levels and the president has said that Russia never initiated the freeze in relations and we are always open for displays of political will for a broader dialogue.

Mr Putin’s spokesman, Dmitry Peskov

Politics john kerry