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Kerry, Lavrov discuss situation in Ukraine

WASHINGTON, Feb 23 (KUNA) -- Secretary of State John Kerry spoke by telephone on Sunday with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov about the situation in Ukraine, the State Department announced.
Kerry expressed the US government's "strong support for the action of the Ukrainian parliament today to name an acting president and acting prime minister, and to move quickly to stabilize the country's political and economic situation," the announcement said.
He "emphasized that the votes taken today by huge majorities of the Ukrainian people's elected representatives from all parties, including the Party of Regions, offer the best and most promising path forward to restore peace and stability to Ukraine quickly, and to address Ukraine's pressing financial challenges in the coming weeks and months," it said.
Kerry "restated America's readiness to work with all members of the international community and all international institutions to support Ukraine and the Ukrainian people at this critical time," the statement said.
The Secretary "expressed our hope that the Russian Federation will join with us, the European Union and its member states, and other concerned countries to help Ukraine turn the page and emerge from this crisis stronger, united and moving forward through new elections and critically needed reforms, " it said.
Kerry "noted our call for all sides to refrain from violence and to respect Ukraine's democratic institutions," the announcement said.
He also underscored the United States' expectation that Ukraine's sovereignty, territorial integrity and democratic freedom of choice will be respected by all states, it said. (end) rm.gb KUNA 232248 Feb 14NNNN