Kerry to hold talks with Russian president Putin this week
Secretary of State John Kerry will travel to Russia this week for talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Kerry's first visit to Russia since the Ukraine crisis began, the State Department announced Monday.
Relations between Moscow and the West have been badly damaged over Ukraine, with Western nations accusing Russia of supporting separatists there with arms and manpower - a charge Moscow denies. Russia, meanwhile, has bristled at Washington's pledge to provide Ukraine with military assistance in the form of hardware and training.
The State Department said Kerry will meet Putin and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov at the Black Sea resort of Sochi on Tuesday. It's Kerry's second trip to Russia since taking office.
The announcement said Kerry will "discuss a full range of bilateral and regional issues, including Iran, Syria, and Ukraine."
