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Lavrov and Kerry discuss Ukrainian settlement and ceasefire in Syria

In the phone conversation the sides also discussed a number of other international problems and current issues of bilateral relations

Sergey Lavrov and John Kerry Alexey Shcherbak/TASS

Sergey Lavrov and John Kerry

© Alexey Shcherbak/TASS

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MOSCOW, April 1. /TASS/. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and US Secretary of State John Kerry discussed the settlement of the Ukrainian crisis in the context of implementation of the Minsk agreements, the Russian foreign ministry said on Friday after the telephone conversation between the two top diplomats.

"The sides discussed a number of other international problems, including the implementation of the Minsk agreements on the settlement of the Ukrainian crisis, and current issues of bilateral relations," the ministry said.

The top diplomats also discussed concrete steps to enhance the ceasefire regime in Syria and to counter terrorism in that country.

"In the follow-up of the Moscow talks on March 24, the Russian Foreign Minister and the US Secretary of State coordinated their positions on the settlement of the conflict in Syria. The sides continued to discuss concrete steps promoting enhancement of the ceasefire regime in that country, expansion of humanitarian access and efficient countering terrorism where the key role is played by cooperation between the Russian and US military," the ministry said.

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Russian top diplomat drew attention of his US counterpart "to the fact that the Turkish-Syrian border stays ‘porous’ and, according to our information, is used to send gunmen to Syria via Turkey," the ministry said. "It was stressed that this border should be closed which step requires urgent agreement of necessary measure, including via the United Nations Security Council."

Lavrov and Kerry also reiterated their commitment to support the United Nations-brokered talks between the Syrian government and the entire spectrum of the opposition "In which the Syrians are to determine the future of their state," the ministry said.

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Ukraine crisis Foreign policy Sergey Lavrov John Kerry

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