Lavrov Tells Kerry Obama Administration Continues Undermining Russia-US Ties

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told US Secretary of State John Kerry that the Obama administration continues unfriendly steps in an attempt to ultimately undermine the foundations of normal interaction between Moscow and Washington.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Lavrov told Kerry at a meeting on the sidelines of the OSCE Ministerial Council in Hamburg that he regretted the Barack Obama administration's policy toward Russia, the Russian Foreign Ministry said Thursday.

"Lavrov expressed regret that the Obama administration continues unfriendly steps in an attempt to ultimately undermine the foundations of normal interaction between Russia and the United States," the ministry said in a statement.

The statement also said that besides bilateral relations, the two countries' top diplomats also discussed ways to settle the conflict in Syria.

"The sides agreed with the necessity to resume intra-Syrian talks under the UN auspices as soon as possible. Lavrov again pointed to the fact that a resolute fight against terrorist groups is the key condition for the settlement," it said.

Lavrov and his Kerry are holding a private meeting in Hamburg on the sidelines of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Ministerial Council.

The 23rd Ministerial Council of the OSCE kicked off earlier in the day and is expected to wrap up on Friday. The Council will see more top diplomats from 57 OSCE participating states as well as from eleven partners for cooperation gathering together to discuss major security issues.