Lavrov, Kerry Discuss Ukrainian Crisis in Phone Call

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and US State Secretary John Kerry discussed in a phone call on Thursday the crisis in Ukraine and the schedule for further contacts on the issue, the Russian Foreign Ministry said.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Lavrov and Kerry also discussed international efforts to start the peaceful process in crisis-hit Syria and Yemen, the statement said.

"The sides discussed the conflict in Ukraine as a follow-up to the talks in Sochi on May 12, as well as the schedule of possible contacts on the issue in the future."

Despite the tensions, Washington and Moscow continue to jointly address other international areas of concern, most notably Iran’s controversial nuclear program.

After talks between the top Russian and US diplomats in the Russian Black Sea resort of Sochi on May 12, the Russian Foreign Ministry said that Russia was open to constructive cooperation with the United States but only on a fair and equal basis.