The US Secretary of State John Kerry has had what he calls “frank” talks with President Putin during a landmark visit to Russia – his first since the start of the Ukraine crisis.
The hot topics were numerous: not just Ukraine, but Iran’s nuclear programme, Syria, Yemen and Libya.
However perhaps the most important aspect was Kerry’s very presence in Sochi at a time when US-Russian relations are at their worst since the Cold War.
Had frank discussions with President #Putin & FM #Lavrov on key issues including #IranTalks, #Syria, #Ukraine. pic.twitter.com/KDHrXgB0oH— John Kerry (@JohnKerry) May 12, 2015
A US official spoke beforehand of the importance of keeping communication channels open.
Also speaking before the talks began, Putin’s spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, welcomed the meeting as a positive step.
“Through dialogue, it is possible to find ways for a normalisation, closer coordination in dealing with international problems,” he said, although adding: “Russia was never th