Kremlin says Kerry's meeting with Putin under consideration

A meeting between U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry's and Russian President Vladimir Putin is under consideration as the top U.S. diplomat will visit Moscow next week over the Syria crisis, according to the Kremlin.

"The visit by John Kerry is being coordinated and is very likely to take place in Moscow where he will meet Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov ... and the possibility of Kerry's meeting with the Russian president is under consideration," Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.

The two sides are expected to focus on the situation in Syria, he said, adding that Moscow is satisfied with its joint efforts with the United States in coordinating and promoting the peaceful settlement process in the country.

• Earlier in the day, Maria Zakharova, a spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry, confirmed to Russia's Govorit Moskva radio station that the Russian side is coordinating the possible visit.

The U.S. State Department said Tuesday that the purpose of Kerry's trip is to continue to look for ways to move the political process forward in Syria.

"Obviously, there are other issues to discuss in our bilateral relationship with Russia, but the prime mover for it, again, is Syria," said U.S. State Department spokesman John Kirby.

He said other issues, including the situation in Ukraine, will be discussed as well.

Kerry's visit follows the start of the withdrawal of Russian troops from Syria.
 [Xinhua -china.org.cn]
16/3/16
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