Russian Foreign Minister stressed the futility of economic sanctions which undermine “the possibility of bilateral cooperation on urgent international problems”.

December 28, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov held talks with US State Secretary Kerry. The main topics for discussion were the crisis in Syria, Ukraine and economic sanctions. The initiator of the talks was the American side.

“Lavrov and Kerry discussed the prospects of overcoming the crisis in Syria, including in the context of talks between the Syrian government and the opposition, organized by the special envoy of the UN Secretary General S. de Mistura”, the press service of the Foreign Ministry reports.

Foreign Minister reminded of the need to abandon the preconditions for the establishment of a united front against Daish and other terrorists.

Lavrov offered John Keery to use the American influence on Kiev to make Minsk agreements work. Foreign Minister reminded about the shelling of OSCE observers and VGTRK film crew from Ukrainian positions near the village of  Kominternovo in the Donbass. According to the minister, it creates threats to the implemention of Minsk agreements.

One of the discussed issues was anti-Russian US sanctions. Sergei Lavrov stressed the futility of economic sanctions to put pressure on Russia through such measures. Foreign Minister noted that such actions undermine the possibilities of bilateral cooperation on urgent international problems.