John Kerry arrived in Sochi to meet with Putin – BBC Russian

• 12 May 2015

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Last time in Russia US Secretary of State arrived in May 2013

US Secretary of State John Kerry arrived in Sochi, where in the near future to discuss the situation in Ukraine, with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

It is reported that Kerry has met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. However, they also laid wreaths at the monument to Sochi residents who died during the Great Patriotic War.

On Tuesday morning, the Kremlin confirmed the meeting Kerry and Putin. According to the press secretary of the Russian president, Dmitry Peskov, a broad agenda of the talks, however, the sanctions will not affect the conversation.

As expected, the US and Russia will discuss a number of international issues, including the situation in Iran and Syria. “The trip – part of our ongoing effort to maintain direct communication with senior Russian officials,” – noted in the White House.

The relationship between Moscow and Washington have deteriorated markedly after the Russian annexation of the Crimea Ukrainian. In addition, Washington has repeatedly accused Moscow of supporting the armed supporters of the breakaway regions of eastern Ukraine. Russia has strongly denied the allegations. US President Barack Obama refused to attend the celebration of the 70th anniversary of the Victory in Moscow.

As the correspondent of the BBC’s Bridget Kendall BBC, John Kerry never visited Russia since the beginning of the differences between Moscow and Washington over events Ukraine, and President Barack Obama’s trip itself is an important state secretary in Russia.

Russian officials also called the visit “an important and symbolic”.

John Kerry and Lavrov laid a wreath at the monument to those who died during the Great Patriotic War

Position of Ukraine

As correspondent Bi-bi-si, is not quite clear what he wants to achieve his visit Kerry.

“The US State Department said that Kerry will come to Russia to keep an open line of communication link between the two countries, and to bring to Moscow the US view, which suggests that he reproach Putin for his position on Ukraine”, – Kendall said.

According to the newspaper “Kommersant”, Kerry’s visit demonstrates the growing desire of the West to find a new formula of relations with Moscow, despite the fundamental contradictions in Ukraine.

The US accuses Russia of supporting the self-proclaimed supporters of the NPT and LC

The Russian Foreign Ministry hopes that the visit will contribute to the normalization of the stalled bilateral relations. At the same time in Moscow, the United States, according to diplomatic sources, waiting for new proposals for the settlement of the Ukrainian crisis.

planned in February trip to Kerry in Russia was canceled. According to sources, Russian news agencies, this happened at the initiative of Washington.

After Sochi John Kerry will travel to Turkey, where he will attend a meeting of foreign ministers of the NATO countries.