Date : 25/03/2014
WASHINGTON, March 24 (KUNA) -- Following an hour long meeting at the
Nuclear Security Summit in The Hague, US Secretary of State John Kerry met
one-on-one with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
Kerry pushed for Lavrov to pursue a dialogue with the Ukrainian government,
US Department of State Deputy Spokesperson Marie Harf told reporters here
Monday.
The brief 10-minute meeting occurred when the two took a walk outside, she
said, adding: "Kerry expressed strong concern about the massing of a large
number of Russian forces on the border and of the treatment of Ukrainian
military forces, including many Ukrainian service members who are missing."
"Kerry pointed to the sanctions announced last week and the new executive
order signed by President Obama that provides the flexibility to sanction
specific industries if Russia continues to take escalatory steps," she
affirmed.
Kerry gave Lavrov, "an update on the steps the government of Ukraine has
continued to take on constitutional reform, to counter extremists and to
prepare for elections on May 25th," Harf noted.
After speaking with Kerry, Harf confirmed that Lavrov also met with
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Deshchytsia.
Harf stressed, "I think talking is good, and it's an important step, but
what we need to see are Russian actions."
Tomorrow marks the final day of meetings at the Nuclear Security Summit.
(end)
ak.gb
KUNA 250026 Mar 14NNNN