US and Russia hold talks over Ukraine crisis in Geneva

Europe, News, US March 2, 2015 , by IRIA No Comments

US Secretary of State John Kerry is holding talks with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov about the crisis in Ukraine one week after he accused Russian officials of “lying” over Moscow’s involvement in the beleaguered country.

The Ukraine crisis and efforts to implement a tattered ceasefire between Ukraine and pro-Russian forces are the main subject of the talks between the two officials in Geneva on Monday.

The two men briefly shook hands for the cameras, but the atmosphere was tense and they did not make any statements.

Last week, Kerry accused Russian authorities of “lying” to his face about the country’s involvement in Ukraine.

Speaking to the US Senate, Kerry expressed anger about what he described as Russia’s “massive effort to sway nations, to appeal to them, reach out to them, and fundamentally, tragically, sort of reigniting a new kind of East-West zero sum game that we think is dangerous and unnecessary, frankly.”

A senior State Department official traveling with Kerry told reporters that Kerry did not specifically accuse Lavrov of lying. He claimed that Kerry was referring to media reports and public announcements.

Kerry, meanwhile, said he was “very hopeful” that his talks with Lavrov would help bring about the change needed to end fighting.

“Our hope is that within the next hours, and certainly not more than days, this (ceasefire) will be fully implemented,” he said.

The meeting between John Kerry and Sergei Lavrov in Geneva was just one of several attempts at mediation on the conflict Monday, as high-stakes talks to resolve a bitter gas dispute between Kiev and Moscow were also due in Brussels.

Ukraine’s army said Monday that one soldier had been killed, but the ceasefire was still largely holding despite sporadic clashes.

Both Ukraine and the rebels say they are withdrawing heavy weapons from the front line under the Minsk ceasefire.

But tensions remain high with continued fighting in recent days shaking a fragile ceasefire that is otherwise said to be holding.

Monitors from the OSCE security group have reported weapons movements on both sides but say it is too early to confirm a full pullback.

SB/AGB/BBC/YN