Kerry holds 'frank' talks with Russia's Putin, Lavrov

SOCHI, Russia

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry wrapped up “frank” discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Sochi on Tuesday.

“Important to keep lines of communication between the U.S. and Russia open as we address pressing global issues,” Kerry tweeted after the meetings.

He also said he had “frank discussions” with President Vladimir Putin and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on “key issues,” including Iran, Syria and Ukraine.

“We are in significant agreement on the most important issue of all, which is that [the conflict in Ukraine] will only be resolved by the full implementation of Minsk and all of us have responsibilities to undertake in order to affect that implementation,” Kerry said in a statement.

Kerry also mentioned that U.S. and EU sanctions against Russia about the crisis in Ukraine can only be scaled down “if and when” the Minsk agreement is fully implemented.

A statement from the Russian Foreign Ministry late on Tuesday also said the foreign ministers had an “extensive and candid discussion on a wide range of issues of mutual interest.”

“Sergey Lavrov stressed that Russia is not responsible for the current crisis in relations with the United States. Russia is willing to work constructively with the United States both in bilateral relations and in the world arena, where our countries bear a special responsibility for global security and stability. However, cooperation is possible only on a fair and equitable basis, without any attempts to coerce or dictate to the other side,” the statement read.

The Russian Foreign Ministry also mentioned in the statement that “ratcheting up confrontation and sanctions is a road to nowhere.”

“Russia will not be pressured into sacrificing its national interests and principled positions on critically important issues,” the Russian Foreign Ministry said.

“The sides affirmed the need to continue efforts to launch a full-scale political dialogue between Damascus and the opposition,” the statement read.

“Particular attention was paid to the threats posed by ISIS (Daesh), which has captured portions of Syria, Iraq and Libya. Sergey Lavrov once again stressed the importance of rejecting double standards with respect to terrorists. The officials considered the situation in Yemen, where external military involvement is exacerbating the internal armed conflict, which could have serious consequences for the entire region.”

Kerry will be in Antalya, Turkey on Wednesday for the NATO Foreign Ministers Meeting.