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Russia’s Lavrov, US Kerry discuss Ukraine, Syria, Yemen, Libya in phone call

Russian and US top diplomats emphasized the need for more efforts to stop ceasefire violations, particularly shelling of settlements

John Kerry and Sergey Lavrov EPA Archive/US Department of State

John Kerry and Sergey Lavrov

© EPA Archive/US Department of State

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Kremlin notes contacts between Russian, US foreign ministries after Putin-Kerry meeting

MOSCOW, June 15. /TASS/. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and US Secretary of State John Kerry discussed the crisis in Ukraine in a phone call on Monday as well as developments in the Middle East and North Africa and prospects for resolving Iran’s nuclear problem, Russia’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Speaking about Ukraine, the two foreign ministers noted the necessity for all sides to implement ceasefire agreements signed in Minsk, Belarus, in February and supported plans to convene a meeting between representatives of working subgroups formed as part of the Contact Group on the Ukraine crisis, the ministry said, adding that the meeting was expected "to establish sustainable direct dialogue between Kiev and Donetsk and Luhansk".

Lavrov and Kerry "emphasized the need for more efforts to stop ceasefire violations, particularly shelling of settlements", the statement said.

The foreign ministers also considered "the situation around Syria, prospects for settling the conflicts in Yemen and Libya as well as the progress of negotiations to reach a final deal over Iran's nuclear program and other pressing topics, including issues affecting strategic stability", it said.

The ministry said the call was initiated by the United States.

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Middle East and North Africa Foreign policy Iran's nuclear program issue Ukraine Sergey Lavrov John Kerry

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