Lavrov Calls on Kerry to Influence on Kyiv Over Minsk Deal Commitments
GENEVA (Sputnik) — Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Monday he had asked US State Secretary John Kerry to use Washington’s influence on Kyiv to ensure prompt implementation of Minsk agreements by the Ukrainian forces.
Lavrov and Kerry held talks in Geneva on Monday on the sidelines of the28th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, with the focus on the situation in Ukraine and the implementation of Minsk peace accords.
“I asked John Kerry to use his influence, Washington’s influence, on Kyiv to make sure that the Ukrainian side, the Ukrainian government fulfills its commitments on the first two parts of these [Minsk] agreements [on full ceasefire and complete withdrawal of heavy weaponry], Lavrov said after a closed-door meting with Kerry.
“It is also crucial that the remaining agreements, including an amnesty, constitutional reforms, the special status of Donbas, are not left on paper only,” Lavrov told reporters in Geneva.