Kerry Has 'Frank' Talks With Putin About Ukraine, Syria, Iran
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry says he has had "frank discussions" about Ukraine, Syria, and Iran with the Russian president and foreign minister.
Kerry made the comment on Twitter after meeting with Vladimir Putin and Sergei Lavrov in the Russian Black Sea resort of Sochi on May 12.
The Russian Foreign Ministry quoted Lavrov as telling Kerry that Moscow was ready for constructive cooperation with the United States on the basis of equal partnership, and that Russia would not bow to pressure to abandon its national interests.
It is Kerry's first visit to Russia in two years.
The talks came as Ukrainian military officials said three of its servicemen had been killed and one was wounded in eastern Ukraine over the past 24 hours.
A shaky cease-fire deal between Ukrainian government forces and pro-Russian separatists took effect in February.
Based on reporting by Reuters and Interfax
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